So I am one of them people that pretends that they don’t like valentines because it’s so cliché, but hey, my boyfriend took me to Venice last weekend for a birthday/anniversary/Valentines’ Day present… so who am I to talk? Although I am not doing anything for Valentine’s day tonight, I am holding my hopes up maybe for a cheeky box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers for when I get home, probably hoping too much!
In previous years it was such a girl’s day, take away and wine with the girls, or going out trying to prove just how independent I was (not sure who to) – I generally thought I was as independent as Beyoncé! I can say I’ve never had one sad Valentine’s Day, because whether you have a partner or not – everybody has somebody who loves them.
So what is Valentine’s Day, and why on earth do we have it?! 
St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell.
The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines“).
Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greetings cards and gifts have expanded away from the traditional flowers and chocolates.
So if this
has got you in that lovin’ feeling, here are a couple of my fave ideas for treating your loved ones.
Prepare a home cooked meal, with a cheeky bottle of wine. – Doesn’t have to be difficult to make or use expensive ingredients, I believe it’s all about presentation. I usually go for the chicken stuffed with cheese, wrapped in parma ham or a classic steak with chips – easy peasy! Then for a bottle of wine I would recommend Trivento Malbec Reserve – a fruity and complex blend from famous wine growing area of Mendoza… and best of all, it’s only £8.99! (Available in Tesco and Ocado).
Film night – When your partner gets home from work – have waiting a takeaway, snacks, chocolate and wine with one of your favorite films to watch and get all cuddled up. Seeing as it is a Friday, work may have taken it out of you, and all you and your partner may want to do is relax and to have one night off from calorie watching!
Hope this helps!
Happy Valentine’s Day Cardiff Timers!
Charlie xxx
