YaadRoc Magazine #3 | Page 5

Approximately 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas. Are you in a romantic relationship? Maybe, married for years and would like to show that special someone you care? Well…….Valentine’s Day is here!!! Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world, a day celebrated by lovers. It is a day celebrated by almost everyone, irrespective of their sex, age or gender. Therefore, Valentine’s Day is just a day of pure love. On such a special occasion gifts are exchanged, romantic dinner arrangements are made and intoxicatingly erotic love making of lovers takes place. Common symbols of Valentine’s Day are hearts, red roses and cupids. In current Jamaica there lies somewhat of a controversy around this celebration. Those who do participate expressed that Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for them to incorporate romantic gestures and lovely treats to show their special someone that they love and adore and appreciate them. Whilst this might be an exemplary reason to celebrate the “Day of Lovers” others (Heterosexuals, especially men) are of the view that Valentine’s Day should not be celebrated because of its origination. Valentine’s Day started with the legend of the Christian named Saint Valentine. In the 3rd century Emperor Claudius 11 believed that single men were better soldiers than those with wives and children. The Emperor then issued a law that would prevent young men from getting married. When Saint Valentine heard of this he chose to marry both heterosexuals and homosexuals in secret. As a result, Saint Valentine was punished and ordered to death for this as it was a crime against the Emperor. Whether or not you wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day just remember that it has been here before you and will remain after you. So remember that “Roses are red, Violets are blue but Valentine’s Day is just a reminder that someone loves you.” 5