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Use 'triple A' principle to express love

Relationships
 Photo:Courtesy

Did you know that Valentine’s Day is rated the second most popular card-sending season after Christmas? Every February 14, in most places around the world, chocolates, flowers and gifts and love notes are exchanged as a sign of affection between lovers and their significant others.

This culture has become familiar to most in the recent years. There are those who will celebrate while many others don’t as they have no knowledge of the history of the tradition and consider it foreign. I wish to share some background on this.

St Valentine’s Day, as we know it today is of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The Catholic Church recognises at least three different saints named Valentine all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. Emperor Claudius II preferred to use single men as they made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men.

Valentine, realising the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. A poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.

For many, Valentine ‘s Day is just another day. To others it is a day to celebrate love beyond romantic love, expressing love and affection to family and friends. Many often wonder how to make the day meaningful, exciting and memorable particularly for their lovers or desired lovers.

Jean, a South African girl, cannot wait for Valentine’s Day, she has a grand plan to capture the man of her dreams who she has not dared expose her feeling to.

How will you do this, I wondered aloud, interesting tradition they have I must admit. Apparently emphasis is given to festivals, flowers and other tokens of love. It’s also customary for women to wear hearts on their sleeves and also pin the names of their love interest on their shirtsleeves, an ancient Roman tradition known as Lupercalia.

In some cases, this is how their men get to know their secret admirer and Jean is confident that when James sees the pin on her sleeve, the relationship will take off.

For those desiring to connect with their secret admirers, it helps to have a plan and ensure some connection happens this Valentine.

However, for those who are in a relationship, it’s very important to on Valentine’s Day apply the triple “A” principle; appreciate, affirm and acknowledge your lover or spouse. This day provides an opportunity to exercise Love in Action, join the party and celebrate love! The Love story song has depth in meaning; sing it to one another this Valentine.

“Where do I begin

To tell the story of how great a love can be

The sweet love story that is older than the sea

The simple truth about the love she brings to me

Where do I start.....

She fills my heart with very special things

With angels’ songs , with wild imaginings

She fills my soul with so much love

That anywhere I go I’m never lonely

With her around, who could be lonely

I reach for her hand-it’s always there

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The writer is a Relationship Coach and Author, “Marriage Built to Last”. You can reach her on; www.jenniekarina.co.ke

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