There is no doubt Valentine’s Day has taken on a whole new meaning since the days of Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare and John Donne.
Valentines, cards professing love, first appeared in the late 1700s, and it has been downhill ever since, all too often leaving a young lad, and older lads too, bamboozled and bewildered.
Valentines were soon followed by flowers, chocolate and, of course, diamonds.
Valentine’s Day dinners, dances and cruises are all part of the scene now.
What happened to the value of the most honest gestures of affection: a smile, a hug, a kiss and time?
Have they been devalued to the point that unless accompanied by a trinket they are meaningless?
Why must the depth of love or affection be measured by the value of a gift, or the expression of love be limited to a single day?
Yes, life can be busy, but smiles, hugs and kisses are free and require just a few moments and say much more than any Valentines.
Many will be spending their first Valentine’s Day following the passing of a loved one.
It is unlikely any of them are wishing they could receive one more Valentine’s Day gift, but rather they likely would all give anything to have one more smile, hug and kiss.
Every day should be Valentine’s Day.