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?

[pcottraux]

Did I leave you out?

No, of course I didn't.

[Hoodlum91]

The FReeper men are being quite the romantics this evening!

[pcottraux]

Only the best for the FReeperettes.

[RockinRight]

Yes, we are!

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Well, we East Coast church ladies (at least me) have to go to bed now. Be good, children! Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

[Hoodlum91]

Good night!

[RockinRight]

Goodnight!

[beaureguard]

good night

[pcottraux]

I'm an East Coast church gentleman. Yet I remain up...what's wrong with me?

Nighty night.

[carlr]

My internet connection keeps dropping to nothing or disconnecting completely so it must be telling me it`s time to clock out for the night.

A happy Valentines day to all the lovely ladies of FR.

[RockinRight]

Now that your all warm, and relaxed...

*Sorry I used al's same graphic...I couldn't find a better one*

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

OK, here's the original Mr. Flowers-for-the-girls.

Late to the party, been a busy day.

Looks like we've had chivalry suddenly 'blossom' at FR, eh?

Kewl.

[RockinRight]

Only two posts in twelve minutes?? C'mon people, it's only 11:30 on the east coast!

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

I've got two P4 3.4GHz processors, 1G RAM, and a 250G external hard drive. I'd like to get one of those new TeraByte drives, but they're way too expensive. I've also got DSL; cable modem is not available where I'm at, and I live in Silicon Valley too. Go figure.

[Hoodlum91]

Yes, thank you for introducing the rest of the guys to that concept!

[RockinRight]

This Ping is good for

--ONE FREE FOOT MASSAGE WITH CHAMPAGNE--

to the first female respondent!

*gotta do something to bring this thread to life!*

[scott7278]

I will definitely be praying for you! As for me, I got in from Kansas City earlier this evening after visiting my Grandma, who is under hospice care. We made the decision to go back and visit her, because she is very frail.

She wasn't supposed to make it past Christmas of 2002, but she's still with us defying the doctors. It was really sad, though, because she thought Dad was Grandpa (who has been gone for 40 years) and I was Dad.

It's very sad, but she's had a wonderful life.

[pcottraux]

I'm still here.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Looks like we've had chivalry suddenly 'blossom' at FR, eh?

Really, where?

Good to see ya, Blur. Better late than never.

[Hoodlum91]

did I win?