KEN'S CORNER: Valentine's Day isn't all hearts and chocolates

Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love in all its forms, but individuals often have their own unique customs and traditions for celebrating this romantic holiday. Origins Valentine's Day originated from a blend of ancient Roman, pagan and Christian traditions, evolving from a mid-February fertility festival known as Lupercalia and the martyrdom of Saint Valentine. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I repurposed the pagan festival to honor Saint Valentine on Feb.14. Romantic associations with the holiday arose in the Middle Ages. Cultural Differences Valentine's Day is celebrated differently around the world. According to Odysseys Unlimited, Valentine's Day traditions vary across the different regions of Great Britain, but one common occurrence is the singing of special songs by children, for which they are rewarded with candy, fruit or money. Many British people bake valentine buns with plums, raisins or caraway seeds, which harkens back to a celebration of a good harvest. I'm not sure about those valentine buns, but I would try one. Finland and Estonia celebrate Friend's Day – called "Ystävän Päivä" in Finnish and "Sõbrapäev" in Estonian – on Feb. 14. People give cards to loved ones, friends and neighbors, and the day has become a popular one for engagement proposals. Would you give a Valentine's card to your neighbor? I supposed it would depend on how close you are with them. French couples exchange letters and cards on the day, a tradition which was actually started in France in the 15th century, when the imprisoned Duke of Orleans wrote a poem to his lover and called her "my valentine." In Ireland, many folks in search of true love make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Valentine in Dublin, which allegedly houses relics of Rome's original Saint Valentine, who was martyred for performing secret weddings for soldiers. The Japanese associate Feb. 14 with one thing: chocolate. Some estimates suggest that Japanese chocolatiers make half of their yearly income from Valentine's Day sales. Women in Japan give their male friends and coworkers giri-choco, an obligatory gift of chocolate, while they reserve gifts of honmei-choco (true-feeling chocolate) for those they care more about. Japanese men return the favor on March 14 (White Day), with gifts of white chocolate and other, more valuable pieces. South of the border Mexicans don't distinguish between romantic and platonic love as Feb. 14 for them is the Day of Love and Friendship, where people exchange flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, cards and sweets. Personally, I like the way Mexico celebrates, that way regardless of your relationship status love is celebrated. In Chile people let their inner romantics out on Feb. 14. For a week or so on either side of the date, Chileans decorate shops, malls and streets with balloons and flowers. The typical gifts of flowers, chocolates and cards are given, but Chileans are not afraid of bigger gestures as well, including gifts of jewelry and surprise travel plans. Greatest of these Regardless of how you celebrate the day of love, or even if you choose not to observe this holiday, remember loving a special person and your neighbor is something we should celebrate every day. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we are reminded: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" Happy Valentine's Day and give others love and kindness in this divided world.