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While extravagance may be the way to some hearts, may we suggest a simple, meaningful token of affection this Valentine's Day
VALENTINE'S DAY … FOR SOME, the ultimate day to express one's love for their soul mate, but for the less romantic it's another excuse for the 'man' to drive us towards another unessential purchase. Valentine's Day comes just once a year and not to be a downer on the day of love but I'm a big advocate for celebrating our sweethearts constantly. Don't get caught up in the commercial side of this mysteriously invented holiday. One legend contends its beginnings stem from a priest named
Valentine who served during the third century in Rome. When the Emperor decided that single men made better soldiers than those tied down with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for his flock of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. According to another tale Valentine actually sent the first
'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed, Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his internment. Before his death it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Whatever the case may be, we can thank a cupid-struck man
named Valentine for setting the path for millions of lovestruck hearts to follow. Each year many brave souls choose to use the special day to
propose to the loves of their lives. Each year the plans devised get more and more creative as men seek to raise the bar. When you've got a free minute check out these top wedding proposals of 2011 from around the Web:
Pictured Left-Right: Pacifica Vanilla and Orchid Soap, $16.99 from www.livingandgiving.co.nz, NZ Soy Wax Travel Candle, $23.80 from www.shopnewzealand. co.nz, Green & Blacks 85% Dark Chocolate, $4.95 per 100g from www.chocolatepost.co.nz, Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke's Bay Organic Merlot 2010, $15 from www.villamaria.co.nz, Floribunda Bush Rose 'Iceberg', $22 from www.roseplants.co.nz, Organic Drinking Chocolate, $6.99 from www.tradeaid.org.nz
100 | February/March 2012 | HER MAGAZINE
Love • Where better to find romance than in the movies? When
Matt Still from Atlanta put his real-life marriage proposal on the big screen last year, it was hailed as 'The Greatest Proposal Ever' (www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnVAE91E7kM&feature=youtu.be). • Former UCLA student, Nam Trang surprised his girlfriend
with a marriage proposal and flash mob performance of Frankie Valli's 'Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You' at the UCLA campus where they met. Her response isn't as eloquent as the proposal, but she said yes in the end in front of family, friends and now millions of YouTube viewers (www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0dGRDvmO54&fe ature=youtu.be) • One man used the lights in a city building to spell out
his proposal to his unsuspecting girlfriend, setting the bar for boyfriends everywhere! (www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL33c9PqW OE&feature=youtu.be) • The element of surprise is key for an epic marriage proposal.
This rigged choral performance left one singer stunned when a Christmas carol turned romantic. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO HeTAX15HQ&feature=youtu.be) • While some men go over the top, there are plenty of romantic
proposals that are simple declarations of love. This proposal from a sailor to a soldier in front of the Lincoln Memorial may be understated, but it's definitely romantic in its own right. (www. youtube.com/watch?v=mog779w5cCk&feature=youtu.be) Valentine's Day is on a very unromantic Tuesday this year, and
as with any occasion a little creativity can quickly take the place of purchased extravagance. It's even acceptable to be a cheap date, if you pull out enough love and put in enough thought.
