Valentine's Day

Cupid's Quirky Day: Why We Love and Hate Valentine's!

Is Valentine's Day a day of love or a dreaded holiday? Dive into the history and hilarity surrounding Cupid's favorite day!

Valentine's Day has been an annual spectacle of affection since ancient times, with its roots tracing back to Lupercalia, a Roman festival celebrated on February 15th. This ancient celebration was all about fertility, love, and a little bit of wildness! It involved rituals where men would draw names from a jar to determine their partners for the year. Fast forward to the 5th century and a fellow named Saint Valentine—the one who supposedly got his name on this bouquet-giving day—was thrown into the ring. It's said that he performed secret weddings for couples to help them evade the emperor's oppressive bans on marriage. Talk about a love rebel!

Yet, not everyone shares the joy of Valentine’s Day. Some see it as the world's most hated holiday—what with the pressure to purchase flowers, chocolates, and write heartfelt cards. But hold on! Can we take a moment to validate all forms of love? From the sweet connection between friends to the unconditional love for family, Valentine’s Day is what you make of it! Even those who claim to have boycotted this love-fest still seem to cherish appreciating love in their unique ways. Let’s be real—everyone’s got a soft spot, whether they like to admit it or not.

Interestingly, love knows no bounds, and this was showcased recently in an unforgettable event at Sydney Opera House. A record-breaking 40 couples tied the knot on Valentine's Day against the backdrop of one of the world's most iconic venues. It was a perfect reminder that love—platonic, familial, romantic, or even self-love—takes the main stage on February 14th! While some are out there exchanging floral arrangements, one florist in Dorset received some of the quirkiest requests. Picture this: a thong tucked into a bouquet of roses and a diamond ring brazenly nestled among the blooms. Who knew Cupid's arrows could be so adventurous?

As the day unfolds, don’t forget to embrace the diversity of love and everything it represents. It's fun, quirky, and hey, even a little weird sometimes—just like us! Remember, Valentine’s Day can be anything from big romantic gestures to just a Netflix night with your best friend and a pint of your favorite ice cream. Just don’t put your dessert in a bouquet!

Fun fact: Did you know that more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold each Valentine’s Day? That’s a lot of love! And, every year, approximately 150 million cards are exchanged, making Valentine’s Day the second-largest card-sending holiday of the year, just behind Christmas. So, no matter your opinion, it seems that love—however you define it—is definitely in the air!