Here’s to celebrating Valentine’s Day, love and you!

It’s that time of year when we celebrate all loving relationships, especially romantic love! The day when countless Valentine’s Day cards, flowers and heart-shaped gifts of love and affection are abound! A celebration of love that is so much more than we may know, starting from its origin.

Where did Valentine’s Day originate?

Though the history of this holiday and the story of its patron saint is shrouded in mystery, many believe that Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine of Rome, a beloved martyr who was executed on February 14th in 3rd century A.D. The stories of religious heroism by St. Valentine were honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day.

Love is a many splendored thing.

As I have discovered, the ancient Greeks studied love and denoted each type, giving each one a Greek name:

Philia — Affectionate Love

Philia is love without romantic attraction and occurs between friends or family members. It occurs when both people share the same values and respect each other — it’s commonly referred to as “brotherly love.”

Storge — Familiar Love

Storge is a naturally occurring love rooted in parents and children, as well as best friends. It is an infinite love built upon acceptance and deep emotional connection.

Ludus — Playful Love

Ludus is a child-like and flirtatious love commonly found in the beginning stages of a relationship (a.k.a. the honeymoon stage). This type of love consists of teasing, playful motives, and laughter between two people.

Eros — Romantic Love

Eros is a primal love that comes as a natural instinct for most people. It is a passionate love displayed through physical affection. These romantic behaviors include, kissing, hugging, and holding hands.

Pragma — Enduring Love

Pragma is a unique bonded love that matures over many years. It is an everlasting love between a couple that chooses to put equal effort into their relationship. Commitment and dedication are required to reach “Pragma.” Instead of “falling in love,” you are “standing in love” with the partner you want by your side indefinitely.

Agape – Unconditional Love

Agape is often used to describe a person’s relationship with God or with things they appreciate. It can be an altruistic, “selfless love”.

Philautia — Self Love

Philautia is a healthy form of love where you take responsibility in recognizing your own self-worth and personal needs. A state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions in supporting your own physical, psychological and spiritual growth, while not sacrificing your well being to please others. You cannot give what you do not have.

Reaching out to someone who may be alone.

For countless people everywhere, Valentine’s Day may also be a painful reminder of the love they may be missing in their life. As such, consider reaching out to someone who may be alone or going through a challenging time as your extended kindness may lift the heart of another.

On a personal note: When I first began thinking about Valentine’s Day, I started out with great enthusiasm in addressing love. But the more I thought about love itself, the more I found myself pondering all that love encompasses in life, and why we should recognize love for all that it truly is.

After all, love is vital to our overall emotional well being and quality of life. A deep, core emotion we each carry within our heart, encompassing all our love-relationships, including the relationship with ourselves, and why learning to embrace our own inner self-love, compassion, forgiveness, and healing is the greatest love of all! So, whether you are marking Valentine’s Day solo or with a special someone, be sure to lovingly nurture and celebrate the one relationship you have with “the most important person in your life - you”! For the love you invest in yourself – is the love you invest in your future.