The only cliche bigger than the homogenization of Valentine's Day is women complaining about being alone for it. It is one of my biggest pet peeves, on par with women who move to the West Village and claim to be "a real life Carrie Bradshaw." Perhaps they are one and the same.
The holiday was never designed as test of romantic worth, but rather as a liturgical celebration of a saint named Valentinus. Saint Valentine was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry. During his imprisonment, he is said to have healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Legend states that before his execution he wrote "from your Valentine" as a farewell to her.
If you, or someone you know, insists on moping about Valentine's Day, please encourage them to do it to some Chet Baker. It's only civilized.
