I hope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day yesterday. Did you get any chocolate? If you are a male in Japan, chances are you did. It’s very different to where I come from, where the women usually receive cards and a gift. Where did this custom come from? Valentine is the name of a Christian saint from Rome, Italy, who lived about 1,800 years ago. His name was added to the Christian calendar on February 14th after he died. There are shrines dedicated to him all over the world, including the photograph in Dublin, Ireland. It wasn’t until the 18th century that this day also became associated with romance. People started to give gifts of flowers and keys to their loved ones and that’s how it evolved into the celebration we now know as St. Valentine’s Day. In Europe, people gave keys as an invitation to unlock the givers heart. In English speaking countries, people write their version of a famous poem to their loved one. The poem is four lines long and the first two lines are:

“Roses are red,

Violets are blue,”

It’s up to you to write the next two lines however you like. Usually the last word rhymes with blue. People often write their own funny version of the poem.

However you celebrate Valentine’s Day around the world, I hope you had a great day!

Alan