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The Perfect Valentine's Gift

by Amanda Forester

For Valentine's Day I have been thinking of what to get my sweetheart to show my love and affection. I got to thinking about what my previous heroes and heroines might give each other for Valentine's Day.

But did medieval Highlanders celebrate Valentine's Day, you ask?  Maybe. How about in the Regency?  Most likely.

In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius set aside February 14th as St. Valentine's Day, to honor a priest named Valentine who married couples in defiance of a Roman decree (he was sentenced to death for his romantic nature).  As early as the 15th century people were exchanging written valentines and love poems.  The practice has continued throughout the ages until the present day where over a billion valentines are sent each year.  Considered one of the most romantic days of the year, an estimated 6 million couples will become engaged on Valentine's Day.  Wow!

So what will my historical heroes and heroines give each other for Valentine's Day?
 

Sir Padyn MacLaren will give Aila [The Highlander's Sword] an armful of windflowers after a wild ride through the Scottish Highlands.  Aila will let him catch her to give her said flowers!

Sir David Campbell will give Isabelle [The Highlander's Heart] a physicians belt book, which she will love, and use on his many accident prone younger brothers.

Sir Dragonet will give Morrigan [True Highland Spirit] a beautiful necklace, which will elicit a tepid response. He will try again with a new, extremely sharp battle axe, which she will like exceeding well.  She will give him an ancient, priceless scroll.  He will not ask where she got it.

Mr. William Grant will give the lovely Genie [Wedding in Springtime] the baptismal gown from his grandmother for the baptism of their first born son.  This will make Genie cry many happy tears.  In response, Genie will give him a night of passion leading to the birth of their next child.

Lord Thornton will give Harriet [Midsummer Bride] some new scientific equipment, which has to be shipped (smuggled) all the way from France.  She will love it.  Harriet will give Thornton the gift of NOT conducting any more experiments in the house, right after she puts out the fire on the draperies.

The Duke of Marchford will give Penelope [Winter Wedding] a questionable evening conducting a stakeout, which will turn out to be a false lead. Unfortunately, they will only discover this after spending hours on the docks, crouching behind a crate of rotting fish.  He will try to make it up with a hot bath for two, and liberal doses of chocolate and champagne.  Penelope will give him the gift of not holding their unfortunate Valentine's Day against him.
 
So what will you give your sweetheart for Valentine's Day?




Comments

  1. Fabulous Valentine's Day gifts! My husband and I are going to dinner. I think alone time is nice!

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    Replies
    1. Happy Valentines Day to you both. Hope you have a lovely dinner!

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  2. Great ideas!
    Going out to dinner if the weather co operates!

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  3. We are saving what we would have spent on gifts for Valentine's Day, our birthdays, Mother's Day, and Father's Day to use on a trip we plan this summer. It will take us to Dallas, TX, through the Southwest and back home. We are both really looking forward to it.

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