It was February 14, 273 after Christ: a bishop of Terni was executed by order of the emperor Aureliano. His fault? To believe deeply in love, and to celebrate it with a marriage: that one between a pagan legionary and a young Christian girl. Because true love has to transgress the rules at times, but not the most important of all: to win over everything.
We celebrate that bishop every year, in a party that has become a little business and a little commonplace: Valentine's Day. But what we really celebrate on February 14th is love, the sacred and salvific fire that makes us overcome the worst moments, the hope of not being alone, of being able to share at least with another human being the essence of our life. We celebrate mutual and deep respect for one's "journey" companion. The courage to believe again that you can challenge yourself to the end without unpleasant surprises ... and if the bad surprises arrive the same ... well, to hell with it: it will be better next time.
So what are the 5 fundamental things to keep in mind in a truest and most memorable Valentine's Day vademecum?
1 - The gift. It is not essential, but if you really want to do it, it is essential that it would be felt and "tailored": think about who she/he is, think about what he/she likes. What will make her/his eyes sparkle and her/his heart tremble with joy? There is nothing sadder than a gift made at the last moment just because ... you have to do it. And it does not matter how much it costs or how big it will be, but how big the smile will be and the surprise you will raise on her/his face: a small symbolic thought is certainly more effective than the usual little jewel or perfume. A gift speaks for itself, and yours will have to say "I've been thinking of you for a long time and for days, and I thought I'd excite you this way". And if a gift will have to "dress" your ally in the battle of life, think about dressing him in the way that will make him the best version of himself: the winning and happy one.
PS. If you think of a so-called "couple's gift", like a wellness center, a dinner, a weekend etc., remember that in this case it is a gift for you too: if he/her is a suspicious man/woman that's not a great strategy, in the sense that he/her will think that you have thought more of yourself than he or she. Unless it's a romantic way of saying, "You're too stressed. Take a break".
2 - The message. Every self-respecting gift (or gift) is already a message, but linking two written words is certainly more effective. Therefore avoid preprinted tickets with a sketchy "Greetings" and pen hearts. Obviously the ideal would be a thought, even a simple phrase born from your mind that explains the meaning of the gift, the reason, what you thought while you figured/bought it. But if the poetic vein is poor ... then to opt for a theme quote is not an evil idea. From Cyrano to Dante, from Shakespeare to Hikmet, from the Beatles to Battisti ... there is something for everyone. But avoiding the most trivial ones and search engines will be even more appreciated: show the effort to have read at least one page of the guy you're "snatching" at. After all, "Amor omnia vincit": it will also win your laziness.
3 - The surprise. Every memorable Saint Valentine's day must have the element of surprise, what he/she does really not expect: it can be the gift itself, or the attached message. Or a dinner in a special place (the eye patch in this case can be a fun detail), or a treasure hunt, a riddle, a night in the starred hotel away from the children and the stress of home, a trip to the place where you met or kissed the first time, etc. ... let the imagination run wild: it is always a precious ally that knows how to impress.
4 - Consistency. It's no useful a good gift, well packaged with a very emotional message and surprise of the contour, if then ... if then the ways, the tone of voice and what you do leaves something to be desired. Valentine's Day comes every year to remind us that love should not be celebrated "by circumstance" just that day. It is testified every day and at all times: your style, your attitude, the words and the choices you make are the practical demonstration of what you feel. Provided, of course, that you feel it.
5 - Style. All very nice, but let's go to the point: in a day where to celebrate love in general and the couple one in the specific, do not you think it's a sign of respect for yourself and for the person you love to take care of the style? Yes, that's right: taking care of yourself is an act of love in itself, and it is a way to offer your partner (who undoubtedly deserves it) the best version of yourself. Style means everything: makeup and hairstyle, clothing and accessories included. Well, certainly the shirt does not make the fair, just like the dress, but we have founded proof that it helps: are we sure that an Andrum shirt sewn by hand, tailored if you want, would not make the difference? If it were not so, for sure I would not be here to suggest it.
In any case, beyond the easy banality of this party, keep this in mind: maybe it will be a day like any other, maybe it will be confused with the Valentine's Day of the other years. Or maybe not. What matters is what you feel, and every moment of every day is a good time to prove it. Happy Valentine's Day.
