Feb. 14, 2013 -- Happy Valentine's Day
Today I am 195.2 pounds of loveable rolling thunder.
I usually caution my children not to use Wikipedia as a reliable source for
their research, but what the heck, it's Valentine's Day, and I need to make
some time for a run.
Our friends at Wikipedia who have chosen to enlighten us on the topic say
that St. Valentine's Day owes its origins to a liturgical celebration of one or
more early Christian saints named Valentinus. Hmmm. One or more, eh?
So they go on to say that the favorite story of martyrology involving the
saint claims that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who
were not allow to marry, and, of course, ministering to Christians.
So how did we get to the chocolate-covered greeting card high holy day that
we now celebrate? The Wikis tell us that the holiday was first associated with
romantic love in the High Middle Ages in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer. Dang,
I knew I should have paid more attention in Lit class in high school.
Sending flowers, cards and of course candy on this day goes back to the 15th
century, so Wikipedia tells us. And the handwritten sentiments gave way to
mass-produced cards by the 1800s. Soon to give way to the Billy Bass Christmas
singing mounted fish, I'm sure (Wikipedia didn't have that; I'm just adding my
own facts for dramatic effect).
So what does this all have to do with running? Squat.
But I figured if you were going to sneak in a run after work and before
dinner with your sweetheart, you better come bearing the facts about the
holiday while you suffer the grief of leaving her or him alone for an hour.
I say enjoy the day. It looks like another fine one for running. And
with any luck, you'll see the world's slowest human out there with you, so give
me a wave ... and don't forget to bring home the chocolate.
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