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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Marianne Williamson draws overflow crowd ... Ashland drinking water supplies free of lead contamination ... AMS students to volunteer at food bank ... Marianne Williamson draws overflow crowd ... Ashland drinking water supplies free of lead contamination ... AMS students to volunteer at food bank ... LOCAL TAKE How will you celebrate Valentine's Day? Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 7:51 PM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 7:52 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 7:51 PM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 7:52 PM » Social News Valentine’s may be mocked as the ultimate “Hallmark holiday” (meaning it was created — or at least appropriated — by the greeting card company to make money), but, since it celebrates romance, true love and the willingness to loosen to purse strings for one’s sweetie, be advised to ignore it at your own risk. This advice is widely heeded. The average Valentine’s day costs $512, says the New York Post, but they’re throwing in diamond earrings on top of chocolates, roses, champagne and dinner for two. This proof of devotion spurs the economy to the tune of a staggering $4.5 billion for the evening out and almost that much for jewelry, says the National Retail Association. Add $2 billion for clothing and $1.99 billion for flowers. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, isn’t it? The holiday seems to spring from a Chaucer poem of 1393, when courtly love was in bloom. Charles VI of France in 1400 started a “Court of Love,” on Feb. 14, with amorous dancing and poetry competitions, as well as a court to settle disputes of lovers. Now there’s a good idea to bring back! The sending of paper "Valentine's" started in England in 1797 and spread rapidly, all over the world. Some 200 million are now delivered in the U.S. That means 130 million are NOT getting them — and something should be done about this. As for St. Valentine, he is hazy in history, but said to be a martyr for love, executed as his sweetie received his last love note. Pagans complain this is a Christianization of the ancient Roman fertility festival Lupercalia, where young men chose partners for erotic games by writing their names on a slip of paper and sending it to them. These were the first Valentine's, says “The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets,” by Barbara Walker. Regardless, this Sunday evening, love, in its many forms, will be in the air. We asked Ashlanders how they will celebrate it — or not. Deb Burke — I’m going to be kind. It’s a good practice all the time. It’s hard to do. We like to think it’s easy. We do it with people close to us. I’m going to practice it with strangers. I’m all for love and romance, but Valentine's bores me. It makes too many people unhappy. It’s a Hallmark holiday. Susan Handlen — I’ll be flying home to Massachusetts. I want to be actively celebrating it, usually by making Valentine's for my daughter and son-in-law and grandson. We’ll eat chocolates but we do that every day. But on Sunday they will be heart-shaped. I won’t be doing anything romantic. Valentines is hard for a lot of people and kind of silly and a lot of trouble for a lot of people. I was married twice and was always disappointed on Valentine's. It’s a setup for a lot of people. Anya Kumara — I’ll continue to keep my heart open and hands open and celebrate joy, on whatever day. I’m looking for one (a romance). It’s hard to replace Paul. He died three years ago. I’m looking for a spiritual walker who can walk my spiritual path with me. I’ll be at Unity church in a unified field of community. Derek Franklin — I have no idea what I’ll do. I’ll be hanging out with friends. Yes, I’m looking (for a sweetheart). You don’t have enough space to list what I’m looking for. There’s so much. I’ve thought about it. Honesty is a big one. You can’t go far in a relationship without that. Obviously, attractiveness is important. There has to be a spark between people. You can’t force that, if it’s not there. I’m asking the universe for her and I create and have social situations for that. I’m trying to figure it all out. Graham Thomas — I’m going to Mount Ashland with my girlfriend to spend the day skiing and have a picnic. It’s nice to do extra things, but at the end of the day it’s about spending time with the person you love. We’ve been together 4.5 years. I’ll treat her to a nice dinner. We are each other’s biggest allies and biggest critics. When I’m criticized, eventually, I do what she wants. We always come to an agreement or solution. That’s why we’re still together. We have effective communication. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 7:51 PM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 7:52 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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