Valentine’s Day, the flower-giving, sweetheart-kissing, candy-eating holiday changed drastically over time. Before you claw your way through the jewelry department, it might be wise to see the changes of this romantic holiday.
Leonora and Guillermo Caicedo’s bond is one sewn deeper than at just the seams. They met at a small ranch in Columbia in 1957. The rest is history and they moved to the U.S. where Guillermo became a tailor, while Leonora was finishing sewing classes. In their prime, the two enjoyed plenty of group date nights, dancing to classic Columbian music with their friends. “Valentine’s Day used to be a sacred, romantic day for everyone”, says 81-year-old Leonora. According to these lovers, this holiday is too commercialized now. “We don’t celebrate anymore because we want to remember it for what it used to be. Everyday is Valentine’s Day to us.” Valentine’s Day has transformed in these lovers’ eyes, but does it continue changing down the line?
The middle-aged generation has something different in mind for February 14. And I don’t know a happier middle-aged couple than my parents! Blanca and Robert Kaufman first met 30 years ago and just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past July 2010. Coming from different cultures, they loved each other’s differences like a true “opposites attract” story. In their dating years, the two enjoyed everything together, from drive-in movie theaters to rollerblading. They even spent their honeymoon at Yellowstone National Park. My parents say, “Valentine’s Day used to be about spending quality time, not money.” For them, the perfect evening was cruising down the Santa Monica Mountains on my dad’s motorcycle and picnicking at the beach. Middle-aged couples can often agree that their earlier Valentine’s Days together were more adventurous, rather than a nice dinner. So how is it celebrated today?
Chelsey Higgins and Brandon Schiff are the iconic couple of the younger generation and the perfect answer to this ongoing riddle. They met in fourth grade at Santa Clarita’s Relay for Life. Young Chelsey was hairstyling to raise money for her dance team while little Brandon worked up the nerves to ask her for help on his hair. Years later, at the end of high school, the two hit it off again, keeping a strong lock this time. Traditionally, the two plan a romantic dinner and hit a movie afterwards for the special holiday. However, the two college students appreciate Valentine’s Day more these days, saying, “Growing up, we get busier and busier and any day like Valentine’s Day means a lot. Couples should forget all the stereotypical stuff and just be together. These days, how often do we get one whole day to be together and be in love?” The couple is a perfect example of what true love looks like from the youth’s perspective.
Valentine’s Day has been through a lot according to our Time of Valentines. However, no matter what generation your romantic evening reflects, a time well spent seems to be the ongoing theme throughout the years. So while you’re lurking the jewelry aisle, maybe you should think twice about what Valentine’s Day really means. Maybe this year, you and your loved one should follow the examples of the iconic Valentine’s Day couples.