No way is this post going to be riding along with that commercialised Valentine's Day bandwagon.

Oh,who am I kidding? I can't help but get involved in these money-making scams they call feat days and whatnot. Not only is Valentine's Day completely overrated, it's also unnecessary, pointless and sets a really bad example to guys (a note to any of our male readers: you ever want a girlfriend for any serious amount of time, you better show your love for her more than once a year, idiots).

Dayum. That totally makes me sound like a bitter old maid, doesn't it?

Anyway. Before I get to the real purpose of this post, let's update you on the history of St. Valentine's Day, shall we? First of all, it doesn't celebrate or honour just one person or god. The Valentines the day remembers are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni, two religious martyrs dating back centuries; Valentine of Terni became bishop of Terni about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the reign of the Roman Emperor Aurelian. Valentine of Rome was a priest who became a martyr almost 60 years later. The flower crowned skull of the second St Valentine can be seen in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Rome (just in case all your heartfelt romantics thought there was nothing remotely sinister or gory about the day).

("Hey honey, I'm taking you to Rome to see part of the history of St. Valentine's Day!"
"Ooh, what is it? One of those fountains of love? A carriage ride around the romantic city so we can see all the famous places to do with it?"
"No, it's the skull of one of the murdered saints from nearly a thousand years ago! Isn't that just so darn sweet?!")

Aaaanyway. Evidence shows that no romantic elements were present in the original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in the 14th century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were lost, and they became, essentially, one person.

*imagines Voldemort and Professor Quirrell from Harry Potter*

*imagines Voldemort and Professor Quirrell from A Very Potter Musical*

*is ROFL*

But I digress.

So there could be influences from ancient Roman festivals (For example, in the ancient Athenian calendar part of January and February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera) poetry, ("For this was on Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate," Chaucer) medieval times (a "High Court of Love" was established in Paris on Valentine's Day in 1400!!), the Renaissance and of course modern day (or fairly recent, at least) ideals and traditions, the fact remains that even if the core themes of love and courtship are celebrated, no one seems to really care about the history of the day, or even anything to dio with it that doesn't involve shopping or fancy restaurants. Not that I don't like giving gifts or receiving gifts or eating nice food. It's just...y'know.

All right, rant over. You can now consider yourself briefly educated in all things the history of Valentine's Day (though it should really be 'Valentines' Day').

And now for the most important (and least torturous) thing. Music.

Colbie Caillat's music is always so cheerful. This one ('I Do') just makes me smile!

Aww, this one's so beautiful 'Some Surprise' by Lisa Hannigan and Gary Lightbody! An incredible duet, and it was part of a charity album, too.

My personal favourite: a cover of the song 'Lovecats' by the Cure, performed by Katie Melua (meh) and Jamie Cullum (AMAZING.) Though the two together make a pretty good combination.

Anyway. I was going to do some depressing songs for all you Anti-Valentine-rs, but that would just bring down the mood again after listening to such wonderful music.

This is one bitter, twisted, pessimistic Allie signing out, albeit it with even more tuneful ears than usual.