February is the second month of the year. Time sure is flying. February is one of my favorite months as it is the month of my birth and the month of love. The flower of the month surprisingly is not a rose, but violets, irises and primroses. Violets are symbolic of romance, fertility and love. Primroses means “I can’t live without you”, a fitting flower for February. An iris is a flower that is named for the Greek Goddess Iris, who was a messenger of love. Blue iris represents hope and faith. February’s birthstone is amethyst, a deep beautiful purple which symbolizes empowerment and inner strength.

In February, there are a number of interesting holiday: Ground Hog Day, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Ash Wednesday. February is the only month with an extra day called a leap year and in 2024 we have 29 days instead of 28. It is also National Heart Month on February 2nd (the same day as Ground Hog Day and my birthday) and it is wear red day commemorating the National Heart Month.

Valentine’s day is February 14th. It is also Ash Wednesday which begins Lent. You may want to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 13th this year which is Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. No restrictions on food or drink on that day. Ash Wednesday is a somber day of penance and fasting as Lent begins. We recall our time on this earth is limited and Lent asks (if you are Christian), to examine your life, atone, and begin a closer relationship of love with Christ.

Valentine’s day is named and celebrated for Saint Valentine. It is said he crushed violet flowers to make ink and write notes to his friends during his imprisonment and banishment. Who exactly was Saint Valentine? And why was he banished? Saint Valentine was a bishop from Terni in Italy, and he was banished because he refused to denounce his Catholic faith.

Before Emperor Claudius II, while imprisoned waiting to be executed, it is said he sent a note to Asterius’ daughter and signed it, “From your Valentine.” So began a custom to this day.

Saint Valentine had previously cured her of her blindness at the command of her father, a Judge. After listening to Valentine’s attempts to evangelize, Judge Asterius, gave Valentine an ultimatum – cure his daughter or face death. Saint Valentine cured his daughter and the entire family converted to Christianity. Saint Valentine was also known for performing Catholic marriages which were outlawed. He continued to marry people and he suffered persecution for it. Another common legend states that he defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from war.

With all this talk of love, what do you think is our theme of self-development for the month – what else but love.

The definition of love in the Catechism which resonates with me, is the willing the good of the other. This was taken from a quote by Saint Thomas Aquinas. Love is not a feeling, though it may accompany feelings. It is not chemistry or infatuation. It is the emptying and sacrificing of oneself for another. Feelings, common interests, common backgrounds, and mutual attraction, lead us to love. But it is not love. Supporting, helping, doing all you can to better someone’s life and to help them become whom God meant them to be is love.

If you are fortunate enough to have found love in friends, family, boyfriends, girlfriends or spouses, you know it must be nurtured; and to love is a commitment. On Valentine’s Day and throughout the entire month of February, here are some ways to show and profess your love.

1. Write a love letter or note to someone expressing what they mean to you, how you feel and how you have benefited from your relationship with them. (An email or text will not do. There is nothing like a handwritten love letter).

2. Set up a time to meet over coffee, drinks, lunch, or dinner. Have a cell phone free zone and really listen and be present to each other.

3. Make a scrapbook of memories you’ve shared and give it to them as a gift.

4. Make them dinner (no takeout), actually, prepare a home-cooked meal.

5. Plan a novel date night or day together. Here are some ideas: A sip and paint event, take a mixology class, art or sculpting class, cooking class, dance class, sports event, spa day, ice skating, roller skating or antiquing.

6. Plan an overnight or a day trip to a museum, garden, lake, zoo, ocean or tourist site.

6. Have a game night, Scrabble, Monopoly, Life, Dominoes, an old-fashioned game which allows you to interact with one another. No video games.

7. Offer to do an errand or chore for them.

9. Refrain from saying anything critical or negative while in their company. Only say things that support or bolster them up.

10. Go to church together.

11. Attend a retreat together.

12. Watch a comedy together and just laugh.

13. For couples, just sit on a couch, put on a fire and cuddle. Take a long walk, just the two of you.

14. Write a letter of gratitude to each other and list all the things you are grateful for and then exchange the letters.

There are so many ways to be with and show those we love how much we love them. Saint Valentine is a good role model – he loved, healed, and cared for those he encountered and cared for them –body and soul. Take up the Valentine’s Day Challenge and show the love.