February 14th...
Yep, you know that day pretty well by now, guys.
It's the day most of you despise with a passion, right? The pressure is on you to come over all soppy and "romantic" and provide a feast of epic proportions laced with Valentine's gifts like candies, flowers and fluffy teddies emblazoned with satin hearts in a bid to woo her.
Doh.
Why and how did this happen, guys? As a male, you'd probably much rather spend February 14th relaxing and perhaps barbecuing some burgers over a few beers, wouldn't you agree? Your idea of Valentines Day certainly doesn't resemble the idea your wife or girlfriend has.
Don't fret about the Valentines gifts or the card you normally forget to buy.
The onus isn't completely on you.
Do you know the history of this day of love? First and foremost, do you know the origin of the word 'Valentine?' Well, guys, it stems from 'Valens,' which quite simply means worthy, strong and powerful.
Sadly, this macho image is pretty ironic seeing as these days, there are millions of men running around in a panicked frenzy in the hope of seeking the perfect Valentines presents for their female love interest.
Generally speaking, guys on February 14th are typically weak and vulnerable as they strive to impress their woman.
Let's get back to basics.
The legend of St.
Valentine is, without question, an amazing story...
St Valentine was a Roman priest who was martyred during the reign of Claudius II.
The evil Claudius believed single men made better soldiers than men with wives and children.
So what did he do? He banned people from getting married! But Valentine rebelled.
He continued to marry couples in secret, but alas, good ole' Valentine was arrested and jailed for his treachery.
But whilst in prison, he stayed strong and fell in love with the jailor's daughter.
He wrote her love letters right up until the very day he was put to death for his offence.
His final letter was signed, "From your Valentine," an expression widely used today.
Pretty romantic, huh? So that, gents, is why your darling lady implores you to buy Valentines Day gifts and urges you to treat her like a princess on February 14th.
In essence, this day is a celebration of undying love and romance expressed by wining, dining and, of course, exchanging Valentines Day presents.
Yet V-Day isn't necessarily all about romance.
It's a day merely to recognize that love exists, that love is all around you and to invite you to honor all the beautiful romances enjoyed by you and others from the past, present and the in future.
A word of advice, guys: Chill out a bit and you might even enjoy it! This holiday isn't "Womantine's Day," as you may have called it.
It's as much about you as it is about her.
Don't bother with fancy restaurants or costly Valentines gifts for her like bouquets of flowers and flashy jewelry.
This year, remember St.
Valentine and why he died a martyr.
Forget the Hallmark propaganda that's brainwashed you for years into thinking the more you spend, the more you care.
Instead, make a huge dinner with all the foods you both love.
After all, nothing is more heartwarming than a guy who can cook! What's more, you'll be saving money by cooking at home, plus, if you cook together, it's much more interactive.
And when it comes to signing your Valentine's card, make sure you sign it, "From your Valentine," then, for even more impact, slip in some history and watch her jaw drop in wonder.
After dinner, unwind with your favorite drink and snuggle up on the sofa together in front of a film.
If none of the above works and you still hate February 14th, just count your lucky stars you aren't going to jail for your beliefs or put to death like St.
Valentine was...