The ***OFFICIAL*** Friday/Saturday Night Singles' Thread <BR>Feb. 10 and 11, 2006

2.10.06 | apackof2

[apackof2]

The ***OFFICIAL*** Friday/Saturday Night Singles' Thread

Feb. 10 and 11, 2006

Pitch hitting for Scott tonight and Ok, ok I know, it early but what the heck!

The History of Valentine's Day

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop 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.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. 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.

Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Did You Know?

- 192 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research)

- Nearly 60 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine’s Day a procrastinator’s delight. (Source: Hallmark research)

- There are 120 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages.

- There are 33 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) age 65 or older for every 100 single women of the same ages.

2.2 million marriages take place in the United States annually.
That breaks down to more than 6,000 a day.

- 145,800 marriages are performed in Nevada during 2004.
So many couples “tie the knot” in the Silver State that it ranked fourth nationally in marriages, even though its total population that year among states was 35th.

U.S. Census Bureau

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

But how ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?

FOR DISCUSSION ONLY

Remember:

This is a thread for singles, not a thread about the misery of singleness --
no moping allowed! :-)

Favorite romantic song, movie, poem, photo, story?

[RockinRight]

P pops in and out.

You missed a fun thread!!!

[RosieCotton]

I'm off to bed too. *Should* be able to check in tomorrow night...it'll depend on how much I have left to do!

'Night.

[TheresaKett]

good night and good luck

[patton]

some of us are insomniacs.

[RockinRight]

Night!

I think pcottraux's gone too.

[TheresaKett]

some of us are insomniacs

That would be me, I don't usually go to bed until well after 3 and am up by 7. I have not had a good night sleep since Oct 2001.

[RockinRight]

No, I'll sleep the moment I hit the pillow! I just work so much all week I never get to stay up and have any fun!

[darkangel82]

I'm still here, if anyone cares.

[patton]

LOL, we care.

[RockinRight]

Aww.

You could listen to a John Kerry speech and see if that helps...

[TheresaKett]

LOL...too scary, would give me nightmares

[RockinRight]

I care!

[patton]

Ever read that damn book by King? I swear, i didn't sleep for weeks.

[RockinRight]

LOL...very true.

[pcottraux]

Nope, I'm here. I just got stuff going on, you know, like laundry and what not (yes, I do my laundry late at night.

[patton]

quit bragging.

[pcottraux]

You're keeping the thread well and alive.

[RockinRight]

In college, I used to shop at the 24-hour Wal Mart (uh oh...cue the Wal Mart bashers) late at night. It was faster, no lines, nobody to bother me, but you should see the FREAKS that shop at Wal Mart at 3am!

[TheresaKett]

In some ways my lack of ability to sleep is beneficial. I work when my son is asleep, when I am not freeping of course. With a 4 year old its impossible to get work done with him around. He is so used to all my attention, since its been just the two of us since birth basically. He was 17 days old when my husband died.

Oct 2001 was when I started getting uncomfortable sleeping with the pregnancy. He was born Dec. I kept several bookkeeping accounts, but who can concentrate with a toddler. I think I would never get work done if I actually did sleep...LOL...such a delema.

[RockinRight]

I almost started the thread tonight, then apackof2 put it up there right as I was trying to find the ping list! She was a bit late tonight, I was razzing her about it.