Don’t sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me, as the song goes. Very soon now, the year will have swung around to Valentine’s Day once again. Looking in the rear view mirror of history, it was the day that the ‘man approaches woman’ traditional approach was turned on its head.
At other times of the year, the proper and fitting way was for a man to declare his love for a woman. On Valentine’s Day, anyone could pin their heart on their sleeve and declare their love. Man, woman, it was all the same on the day.
Who really knows how it was ‘on the ground’, at the coal face, as it were, in days gone past.
However it was, the gender roles no longer apply. Anyone can declare their love for anyone at any time. So people nowadays might feel only the smallest of frisson of feeling that history is not being obeyed.
Are These Free, Modern Times
Are we too cool, have we seen too much? Plainly we are less controlled by the community than we used to be. Don’t like the environment? Then move somewhere else to be with people you aspire to be like. How many of us learn that lesson the hard way after a long slog doing the wrong thing with the wrong people?
Not everyone is as bold as we say we are in these free, modern times. Romance is valued; it is not dead. So for those looking for love, any time in human relations is a mix of emotions. Therefore, any excuse to win the heart of someone is useful. And that is Valentine’s Day.
Will the person find love? Will he or she be kind? And if they respond, will they be faithful? They say that love must go hand in hand with jealousy. If jealousy is missing, then love is a pale version of the real thing. To want someone is to want them, and not to share them around. If the person does not care what the other does, it is not love.
February 14
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th, a day for romance. But was it always so?
Not according to Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine. He says it was Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century who first linked St. Valentine’s Day with romance in his poem called Parlement of Foules.
In his long poem of about 700 lines Chaucer linked the royal engagement in 1381 between England’s Richard II and Anne of Bohemia with the mating season of birds and with St. Valentine’s Day as a special day for couples with these two lines:
For this was on St. Valentine’s Day,
When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.
So, on with the dance, on with the musical chairs of life. Just one day to try, to risk, to do. Faint heart never won a fair lady. Or a fair man. With a strong heart a person must be bold and take risks in order to win the affections of the person they desire. If a person holds back and don’t take risks, they will never be able to win the heart of someone they desire. They must be adventurous and to not be afraid of putting themselves out there in pursuit of love. Well, yes, but any little help, helps. Namely, the day when every convention is upset and anyone can risk all for love.
Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me
I’ve chosen to illustrate this article with one of our Valentine’s cards. The line, Don’t sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me, is from a song popular during World War II. It was made famous by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, and by the Andrews Sisters. It’s about two young lovers who promise to be true while one of them is away at war. On a sober note, how many faithful couples had their bonds broken when one was killed in action? In times of war, there is not time to delay.
Strangely, that is one of the benefits of war. In normal times, embarrassment and fear of being seen as a fool hold us back. There is always tomorrow, we tell ourselves. In war, there may not be a tomorrow, so declare your love.
The message is that the object of one’s love should be faithful and not spend time with anyone else, in order to avoid jealousy. The song encourages people to be loyal and faithful to their partner, and not to take risks with other people. It also highlights the idea that one should be willing to risk everything for love, because the song has to be sung – the other person has to be told – before he or she knows how the other person feels.
And anyone can benefit from being given ‘permission’ to declare his or her love on Valentine’s Day.
Why Send A Valentine’s Day Card?
We’ve heard it before, but why send a Valentine’s Day card?
Sending a Valentine’s Day card is a way to express love, affection, or appreciation to someone special in your life. It can be a romantic gesture for a significant other, a sweet message to a close friend, or a thoughtful message to a family member. Valentine’s Day cards can be a tangible reminder of someone’s feelings and a keepsake that can be cherished for years to come.
They can also serve as a fun and creative way to express love and can be a unique way to show someone you are thinking of them on this special day.
And remember, don’t sit under the apple tree with anyone else other than the one who is happy to give their all forever. Ain’t that the truth.