"We believe that love is a power that expresses itself in action. There is thought without action and action without thought. Love is divine thought in action." -- Charles Strobel
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Valentine!! Shrouded in mystery, the exact origins of Saint Valentine are somewhat unclear. While the holiday's history is well documented through the years, the saint (or saints) it's named after is up in the air, according to Huffington Post.
History.com states that Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. I've fashioned all sorts of hearts in and about the house. Here Charlotte dons a wreathe of pipe cleaner hearts which I found the idea for on Full House.
For me, Valentine's is about making things pink and red; and being completely and utterly glitzy and ridiculous. Valentine's Day also makes me want to listen to things like this, this, and this. And, watch fabulously, crafty things like this and this. And check out this sweet poetry reading. My friend Emma and I spent Monday evening at a little shop in East Nashville, creating wooden heart Valentine's. This was super-great because the last time we were both living in Nashville, we created our first wooden Valentine. So it was only fitting that since she has returned--10 years later--we make another one. The first image in this post is of our glorious finished product! So much fun!!
Look how adorable my nephews are? They sent me kissy faces this morning to celebrate the day! Such little dollfaces!! Adorned in fashionable Valentine's garb and ready to go to school, Liam called early this morning and told me he might kiss some girls today--that and get some candy. He happened to also serenade me with this little ditty.
Finally here's one of my favorite sonnets by William Shakespeare . . .
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me prov'd,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
"Though love be a day and life be nothing, it shall not stop kissing."
