BY JORDAN COATES
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Source:www.somewhereinblog.net/Fazleblog

Every time we see the assortments of candy and red and pink decorations filling the store, our hearts beat a little faster. Whether excitement is filling your body or the dread of another single year passed is overcoming you, we all know February 14 is right around the corner. If you’re not a fan of this holiday, don’t think you can jet off to avoid the traditions. It might be slightly different, but cupid’s arrow hits everyone as Valentine’s Day is celebrated all across the world.

In countries from here to Australia people are coming together to celebrate their loved ones and tell them just how they feel. Those three little words fill the ears of lucky lovers all around the globe and in all different languages. The normal “I love you” in France is “Je t’adore.” In Spanish, “te amo” and in Dutch “lk hou van jou.” If you’re really lucky, a handsome Italian might even tell you “ti amo.”

Although all these different cultures say I love you, the traditions of this romantic day vary. While in the US it is very popular to give one another cards filled with warm greetings and even humorous, decorative cards to your friends, in Britain they take it a bit more serious. In Britain, you will most often find sonnets and verses of love. The heart beats in rhythmic poetry as they honor St. Valentine. In the past, the French would burn the pictures of those they desired who didn’t fancy them in return. Don’t go off and burn your ex’s photo though; now a days the French exchange cards filled with tender messages called “cartes d’amities.” In Spain, it is customary for husbands to send their wives a bunch of roses.

Australia’s Valentines stem from the wealthy miners during the gold rush. These men would give their lovers extravagant gifts like satin cushions and perfumed, ornately designed flowers, all packaged in a very elaborate, fashionable, and expensive box. With a lack of a gold rush, I think the men have settled on a good box of chocolates or at least this is what my Aussie friend Alex tells me.

“It is always quite warm on Valentine’s day, so most will go on a beach date with a nice view of the harbor or a picnic in the botanical gardens, something outdoors,” Explained graduate of Macquarie University, Alex Batterby.

The history of Valentine’s Day is somewhat of a mystery stemming from both Christian and ancient Rome tradition. The Catholic Church recognizes three different saints name Valentine. The three legends differ but all agree February has long been a month of romance. With love in the air this month all kinds of traditions arise. All these traditions must have come from the mischievous winged child Cupid. Cupid is known to the Greeks as Eros, the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of Love. The Romans dubbed him Cupid and you could be his next victim of true love. If Cupid’s arrow has struck you this year, you have a wide variety of gifts to share with your loved one. Remember, if you’re going for the roses, white roses are for true love, red are for passion, and yellow are for friendship.

Single or attached, loving or lonely, Valentine’s Day is a holiday for everyone. In countries all around the world there are cards being given, tender words expressed, and people enjoying chocolates from their own secret admirer, themselves. No matter how or with whom you spend this day, the Lions Pride sends their love, and wishes you all a Happy Valentine’s Day.