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?

[Darkwolf377]

How is one an accidental matchmaker? My brother has set up I think 5 couples who've gotten married. He does it with full intent. I think he tells them "You WILL go out with her!" and the couple is then scared into each other's arms. He's never tried to fix me up, though...hmmm, that doesn't say much about me...

[Darkwolf377]

I am 40 so I think at this age I have to get one of those mail order wives from Russia. Although with the divorce rate these days maybe my age group will be coming around again for availability.

[RockinRight]

It's too late to go into any details (I'm about 30 minutes from going to bed), but I've had some "fix-up" dates that were pretty interesting to say the least...

[RockinRight]

LOL...

[Darkwolf377]

Did anyone else read where Kayne West thinks they should write an updated version of the Bible and he should be in it?

[baker_girl]

Interesting in a good or bad way?

[RockinRight]

What?? No, I didn't.

That guy is such a moron...

[RockinRight]

Both...depends on which one. Generally bad though.

[baker_girl]

I can't stand him, but everytime I hear his Goldigger(?) song I can't get it out of my head.

[baker_girl]

LOL.

Sorry

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

When I say "accidental" I mean, I would merely introduce two people of the opposite sex, and serious sparks would fly, and it's been like that for the last twenty years or so. One couple got engaged only after 6 weeks of dating.

[pcottraux]

The few set-ups for me were people actively trying to set me up with the girl. And it was always a disastrous match.

[Darkwolf377]

Wow you're the Steven Spielberg of dating!

[RockinRight]

That's usually how it works...

[pcottraux]

Yeah, and then the matchmaker can't keep their noses in their own business...

[Darkwolf377]

He should try to express himself more, and then he wouldn't be so angry. You know, get out and tell people what he's thinking.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Blind dates don't really work. I think the trick is to know *****exactly****** what you are looking for. Sometimes, that means going through some bad relationships, like I did, to figure that out. Sometimes not. I settled for a$$holes who only gave me crumbs for a long time.

I laughed at my co-worker for two years because she met her husband online, and I never believed that could happen...until it happened to me.

[RockinRight]

Yup...I've had that too..then the matchmaker gets mad at you for not wanting to go out again with that person.

[baker_girl]

LOL

Do you think that would help?

[Darkwolf377]

laughed at my co-worker for two years because she met her husband online, and I never believed that could happen...until it happened to me.

Now come on, that reads like one of those dating ad scripts, including the pause before...until it happend to ME!