Ahhh . . . Today is the day for holding hands, canoodling on the couch, kissing your cutie, and all other kinds of alliterating activities. That's right. It's Hallmark's Day . . . er, um, I mean Valentine's Day. It's that time of year when couples all over join together and say, "I love you, dear. Have this giant stuffed purple pig holding a pink satin heart and this overpriced box of waxy chocolates as proof." But how did this all get this way?

It all started in ancient Rome with Emperor Claudius (also known as Claudius the Cruel) and and priest named Valentine. War forced Claudius to call the men of Rome to fight. However, married men didn't want to leave their wives and younger men didn't want to abandon their sweethearts. This meant too few soliders to fight Claudius's war, so he decreed that no couple would be allowed to marry while war raged in Rome. Valentine, a kind priest and beloved by the people of Rome, heard of this and was greatly saddened. So when couples began to come to him to be wed in secret, he gladly obliged. Of course, when Claudius found out what Valentine was doing, he had his soldiers arrest the priest and lock him in the dungeon. After his death, friends of Valentine buried him and every year afterward they celebrated the memory of their friend on that day, February 14th.

Traditions and cultures differ, and so do the stories and practices. But worldwide, February 14th is known as Valentine's Day, the day for romance and lovers.

Personally, I think Valentine's Day has gone the way of Christmas. Over commercialization, marketing, and greedy corporations have taken this lovely tradition and squeezed it for all the money they could possibly get. Holiday-themed candy, stuffed animals, cards covered in hearts, flowers, jewelry . . . it's enought to make you vomit up the same candy coated colors you just ingested. And what about those who don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend on Valentine's Day? Suicide rates skyrocket just before Christmas and don't taper off until just after Valentine's Day. Why? Because as far as advertisers are concerned, if you're not in their demographic you don't exist.

So today, find someone who looks lonely and give them a hug. Let them know that someone cares, even if the TV tells them no one does. Go out and pick a bunch of wild flowers (it may be February, but I'm in Texas and there's always something blooming) to hand out to strangers. Make today your day to love everyone, not just the ones who love you.

And on that note, remember that I love you. Happy Valentine's Day.

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