(ThyBlackMan.com) February 14th. A day that many women dream about and some men dread. Some sistas look forward to this day with high anticipation of what may be. They mark it on their calendars while their hearts are pounding, along with glassy eyes and hands held out. On this special day some hearts will be broken, relationships bonded, while marriage and proposals float through the air. Women in offices will be green with envy when they see bouquets of flowers and red roses, candy and balloons being delivered throughout the day to someone else other than them.
When did this day special day come about? Who came up with this bright idea anyway? While researching the origins of Valentine’s Day I can honestly say that there are various versions of its origin. So many I really can’t tell which is reliable and which is not.
It’s been said that the origin of Valentine’s Day dates back to ancient times. Valentine’s Day was once known as Saint Valentine’s Day, a holiday honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine.
It is traditionally a day in which lovers express their love for each other by presenting gifts, flowers, cards, candy, and jewelry and according to Verizon. Amongst all of the other origins floating around this day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer. It has also 
been said that it originated back in ancient times, when people paid honor to the Roman God of Fertility. This was known as the Feast of Lupercalia, and was celebrated on February 14th.
We all have been told that Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers. But in the words of my cousin, it’s a day for suckers. Hey her words not mine.
Not only is it a day for lovers or suckers, it’s also a day to cash in. Candy stores, florists and Hallmark make a killing on this day. According to Nikoleta Panteva, senior analyst at IBIS World, Valentine’s Day spending totaled $18.6 billion in 2011.
Kemberly King, a business instructor at South University Online, says compared with other holidays, retail sales for Valentine’s Day ranks second, right behind that for the combined total of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. King also says that 2011 people spent $6 on friends, $5 on classmates and teachers, $5 on pets, and $3.50 on co-workers.
Now hold up. I thought Valentine’s Day was a day for lovers. Not your co-workers and pets. Teachers and classmates, okay you can have those two, but co-workers and pets?
This brings me to say once more that Valentine’s Day is for suckers!
Why all the hype over some naked little person going around shooting arrows? Why should a brother wait until February 14th to show his love? What happened to the other 364 days per year? Why do we men and women get caught in all of the hoopla of Valentines’ Day?
Now don’t get me wrong I enjoy the thought of receiving flowers, candy, balloons and maybe even a diamond ring if you desire to pass one my way, but wouldn’t it be nice to get those same things on let’s say, May 8th ? Just because!
How about a weekend getaway to a Bed and Breakfast? A candle light meal would be nice along with you serenading in song even if you can’t sing a lick. Just because!
Write her a love letter expressing your love and appreciation for the things she does. If she addicted to trail mix present it to her in a decorative box again. Just because!
And sistas the same goes for you too. February 14th and receiving tokens of love are not exclusively for you. It is a day for lovers. This includes your man too.
Sistas hook your man up with a bath filled with scented oil, surrounded by burning candles and Will Downing playing in the background. I’m sure he would appreciate this after a hard day’s work, followed by his favorite meal and a massage. Not only on Valentine’s Day but just because!
Even though we love Valentines’ Day and the excitement that goes with it, receiving tokens of love throughout the year for no particular reason would be something we all would cherish just as much as Valentine’s Day if not more.
Stats obtained through South Source a publication of South University.
Staff Writer; Eleanie Campbell
For more writings by this sista feel free to visit; SoulXPosed2U.
