Dear cherished followers,
Alan is steadily and successfully completing the manuscript for his next, highly-anticipated People Tools for Love and Relationships: The Journey from Me to Us, to be released September 2015. His weekly blog post will be up tomorrow morning, Wednesday February 18. Stay tuned for freshly shared stories and insight!
If you are looking forward to St. Valentine’s Day, as I am, you might wonder who to thank for this most romantic of days. Through the miracle of Google and Wikipedia I have discovered that you should send a card to Geoffrey Chaucer.
The “first recorded association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer.”
In those days, when spelling was a free-for-all, here is what Chaucer wrote:
For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.
[“For this was on St. Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.”]
Enough history. Fast forward to now. The sentiments expressed in most Valentine’s Day cards tend toward insecurity. “Will you be my Valentine?” “Please be my Valentine.” “I miss you, Valentine.”
I suggest that you take a more direct and confident approach.
YOU ARE MY VALENTINE
Every woman wants to hear that. So does every man. No guessing, no game playing, just a candid and definitive declaration.
When I was in law school, after a full year in a contracts class, the professor revealed that the real secret to crafting a binding contract was to state at the end of the written document: “And I mean it, gosh darn it.” (I paraphrase.)
So you might add to your simple statement some inspiring words like “I love you.” A dozen red roses, or candy, would also be a nice touch.
You could even be a contrarian and recognize that a Valentine’s Day card is much more unusual, and even more appreciated, on any other day of the year.
My wife likes to start celebrating a few days early, so I’m busy for the rest of the evening. I’ll see you at Easter, bunny.
Alan
