a little more rant... This year, consumers are expected to spend a record $29.1 billion on Valentine's Day
Consumers are expected to spend $2.1 billion on Valentine's Day gifts for their pets as well
also --- American elementary schools go all in and have the kids make or buy cards for all their classmates. (sometimes causes crisis bc some children can't afford to buy new red clothes, gifts for their mates, or something lovely for teacher.)
Key social downsides for children include:
Emotional Distress and Exclusion: Children who receive fewer cards, or none at all, may experience feelings of rejection, sadness, and anxiety.
Reinforcement of Social Cliques: Activities can unintentionally emphasize "popular" students, worsening peer exclusion and bullying.
Premature Sexualization: Focusing on romantic love can force children to grow up too fast and view peers through a lens of desire rather than friendship.
Socioeconomic Pressure: The expectation to bring gifts or cards can cause stress for families with fewer resources, highlighting gaps in social standing.
Insecurity and Comparison: For older children and teens today , social media amplifies comparisons, pressures, and extremes of elation and depression.
a little history....
Valentine's Day
originated from a blend of ancient Roman, pagan, and Christian traditions, likely replacing the fertility festival of Lupercalia with a saint's feast day in the 5th century. It honors Saint Valentine, a 3rd-century martyr, and became associated with romantic love in the 14th century, evolving into modern traditions of exchanging tokens of affection.
Key Historical Aspects:
Roman Roots (Lupercalia): Mid-February was celebrated with the, at times, violent festival of Lupercalia to promote fertility and springtime.
Saint Valentine: Pope Gelasius I established St. Valentine’s Day in 496 A.D. to replace Lupercalia, honoring a priest likely executed for marrying Christian couples against Emperor Claudius II's orders.
Romantic Association: The association with romance is often credited to medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, rather than the original saint's story.
Evolution: The day was solidified as a popular, romantic holiday in 17th-century England, later becoming heavily commercialized in the 19th and 20th centuries
Then the Americans had to outdo every one....thank you Hallmark, Walmart, and every restaurant that jacks up the dinner prices to celebrate this beautiful day ! 
!
The price of anything, is the amount of life you exchange for it. - H.D. Thoreau
Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but what your mind can imagine.
Make your life count, and the world will be a better place because you tried.
"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except only the the best." - Henry Van Dyke
