Really – could there be a better holiday for the InspyRomance crowd than Valentine’s Day? It’s a holiday just for us because we love love. and everything that goes with it. I believe we love a good romance story because we’re players in the greatest love story ever told. Jesus is the Bridegroom; we’re His beloved Bride. Think of it – we’re the heroine in a love story that will never end. Wow! No wonder we love Love!
Speaking of love, here are some of the most famous lovers in history and literature. (How many do you recognize? Go here for details on their love stories.)
Romeo and Juliet
Antony and Cleopatra
Lancelot and Guinevere
Michael Hosea and Angel (okay, they’re MY favorites)
(So far so good? They get tougher now…)
Orpheus and Eurydice
Paolo and Francesca
Eloise and Abelard
Salim and Anarkali
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy :)
And on a sillier note, here is a little Valentine’s Day trivia…
When a woman buys flowers on Valentine’s Day, she is most likely buying them first for herself (27%), then for her mother (23%), and then for her significant other (18%).
While we all would probably guess that roses are the #1 flower given for Valentine’s Day, mixed flowers are actually #1, followed by red roses, other roses., other flowers (think tulips, orchids), and then plants.
Valentine’s Day accounts for $8.6 million is spent on sparkling wine, coming in behind New Years Eve, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. That’s 174,000 gallons sold throughout the week prior.
On average, men spend $150 on their valentine while women spend $74.
photo by Party Ideas Blog
$448 is spent on candy the week prior to Valentine’s Day, 58 million pounds of chocolate are purchased, and 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate exchange hands. We love our sweets, don’t we?
(more fun facts can be found on History.com)
So buy some flowers for an elderly neighbor. Take selfies with those dearest to you, give them a copy, and post the photos at home, at work, in the car as a reminder that YOU are loved. Do what my husband did – draw a huge heart and write Be Mine on a bathroom mirror with soap. :)
Thank you for being part of the InspyRomance family. We LOVE our readers!
Valentine’s Day Bonus! In case you’re wondering, check out this video on how chocolate is made.
Stacy is a freelance writer with articles published regularly in local community magazines and national publications. She also writes web copy for area businesses and a monthly newsletter for a women’s health business. She blogs regularly on Land of 10,000 Words where she features Minnesota writers, and provides insights into the writing craft and industry. Past president and founder of MN-NICE, the Minnesota ACFW chapter, she is now the Area Director for Minnesota. Her debut novel, One of Me, releases June 1, 2014, through Choose NOW Publishing. And if you ask her about her 1st grandchild (born Valentine's Day 2014), she'll be happy to show you some pictures.
Stacy-Thanks for the fun facts. Michael and Angel are one of my favs as well–Oh that book!! My hubby and I usually just buy cards for each other. I’m afraid we are contributing to those spends stats very heavily. :) I love Valentine’s Day.
These are some great fun facts for Valentine’s! While I recognize a few of these couples, some leave me puzzled…lol! Guess I’ll have to look them up :-) I think my favorite couple are Ruth & Boaz. How God perfectly put them together even before they ever met. And the greatest love story of all is God gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins so we can live in eternity with Him! I love the picture of the Bride getting ready to meet her Bridegroom…wow, what a day that will be!
I enjoyed reading these facts…and wow 58 million pounds of chocolate are purchased…whew! I’m glad I’m not really a fan of the stuff, just get me my mixed wildflowers & I’ll be good to go :-)
And lastly, happy birthday to your 1st grandbaby, Stacy! Such exciting times. We also became grandparents on March 2nd 2014 & it has been the biggest blessing the Lord has given to us! She is our delight & the apple of our eyes….a perfect picture of God’s love for us, don’t you agree?