Valentine's Day; A Day To Show Gratitude And Appreciation

Valentine's Day initially began in ancient Rome where the Romans celebrated Lupercalia (February 13–15)day where animals were sacrificed and ritualistic activities performed to ward off evil spirits and purify the city thereby releasing health and fertility. Centuries later, the Catholic church attempted to christianize the pagan festival by re-naming the day after a saint who was imprisoned for helping Christians. Before his execution, it is alleged that he sent a letter to his jailer's daughter signed, "From your Valentine," a phrase still used today.

During the medieval ages, the nobles began sending handwritten "valentines" to their love interests. The oldest known valentine still in existence is a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. This tradition of writing handwritten notes continued till the Victorian times where admirers wrote lace cards to their love interests.

In modern times, beginning from the 19th centuary with the rise of the industrial revolution there was a shift where mass-produced cards began to replace hand-written notes where eventually over time, the jewelry, chocolate, and floral industries transformed the day into a massive commercial event.

In our current age, we can go beyond treating valentines day as a couples day to a day to one where we can focus on philanthropic activities which asssit the broader community as a whole.

We can do this by;

Supporting Local "Love-Based" Businesses

Instead of buying mass-produced chocolates, or cakes from a global chain, head to a local bakery or artisan.

The Impact: You keep money within your local economy.

Combat "Loneliness" in Vulnerable Groups

Valentine’s Day can be one of the loneliest days for those without immediate family or partners. We can visit old people's homes as majority don't receive visitors; bringing a few simple cards or just offering conversation can brighten their entire week. We can also visit children's homes where we can organize a small craft session or bring healthy treats to a local orphanage or children's hospital wing.

Mentorship and Skill Sharing

If you’re a professional, you can spend a portion of the day offering free advice or a "mini-masterclass."

Through my mentoring platform, i.e Skills Maishani, I could post a quick video tip on financial literacy , safety and career hacks to help young people in your network and the community.

Valentine's Day is essentially a celebration of connection. By looking outward, you turn a commercial holiday into a day of genuine social impact.

Enjoy the day as you touch other people's lives.