February Fever

It's February.

One day more and it's Valentine's day.

There will be sad hearts and happy hearts on this love day. Sad hearts because there are others who does not have dates nor boyfriends. When I was in college we have this running joke about a firing squad for those who've no dates. And I was one of the sad hearts back then. It really mattered to me that I would have a date on V-day. I envied my classmates and friends who got dates on this day. That would mean they would be spared from the firing squad joke. And others who are desperate to have a date on this day would ask just anybody even if they got no feeling for that person to be their date on love day.

But of course there are those fortunate to have real dates on V-day and they were the happy hearts. They got red roses, boxes of chocolates, real dates, shirts with 'I heart my boyfriend/girlfriend' printed on, and they are spared from the firing squad joke. They could feel what this day could mean for them to the last second.

And every occasion there is business. Motels and hotels would be fully booked. This I truly wonder. Is love parallel with s-e-x? I heard from one of my co-workers in my part-time job back in college. He was married but he dated someone who was not his wife on a Valentine's Day. They went to a motel. And it took them a long time to have a room because the taxi queue was very long. He got amazed at the number of couples spending V-day inside a per hour for rent room.

But of course, there are others who spend V-day in a restaurant, the movies, or in the park with families.

What is really the true essence of a love day? Yes, this is St. Valentine's Day. St. Valentine was a priest who defied an emperor in letting single men to be soldiers. Despite the decree he still performed marriages in secrets that caused his death. It was even known that Valentine fell in love with a young woman believed to be the daughter of a jailer. He sent a note with a salutation "...from your Valentine" which is still in use until today. (history.com)

Every single, in a relationship, or complicated status one day of the year on Valentine's Day, let us be reminded that love is not just about boy-girl relationship. Frustration for having no date is unnecessary. There is Someone whose name is Jesus Christ who loves us with an unconditional love. His love is more than enough for us to survive Valentine's Day or any day. But for this to be real and true, faith must be activated. When you believe, then you will know.
Open your heart. He is knocking at the door. Let Him come in.

. Happy Love Day!