LOVE from “big bunny” to her darling “squiggy pig” is just one of tens of thousands of sugary messages which will be sent on Valentine’s Day.
Several container ships would be needed to carry all the chocolates, roses and cards being delivered just in this country and the weight of post will be so great that dozens of postmen will end up with hernias.
But this immensely popular celebration of love has a very dark past because the three saints viewed as candidates for lending their name to the festival were all martyred.
Legends include Valentine, a third century priest in Rome, who rebelled against Emperor Claudius II’s decision to outlaw marriage for young men who he felt made better soldiers if they were single.
The priest’s response was to continue to marry young lovers in secret and Claudius’s response was to have the priest executed.
Then there was the Valentine killed for his attempts to help Christians escape the harsh conditions in Roman prisons while another scenario has Valentine in prison and allegedly sending the jailer’s daughter he fell in love with a letter before his death signed “From your Valentine”.
Valentine’s Day became popular in this country in the 17th century and by the 18th century it was common for friends and lovers to exchange handwritten notes or small tokens of affection.
One billion Valentine cards are bought each year and 85 per cent of the buyers are women!
So, if you want to make a meal of love then here is some food for thought.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, can help get lovers in the mood with a four-course feast.
Tempting tastes range from oyster on ice with tabasco foam to a platter to shared filled with humus, taramasalata, olives, warm flavoured rolls, thai spiced king prawns, marinated roast vegetables.
There is also a choice of pan-fried supreme of chicken, sweet butternut squash risotto and pink peppercorn crusted sea bass while if diners can’t resist each other they certainly won’t be able to resist sharing a symphony of chocolate with white chocolate brulee, Baileys chocolate mousse and warm fondant.
The meal is rounded off with coffee and petit fours all for just £32.95 per person.
Flowers are a traditional Valentine gift and Richard Elder Floral Design, of Stubbings Nursery, Henley Road, Maidenhead can provide a love bouquet fit for a queen as well as other floral displays for any occasion.
Their special Valentine offerings, which can be delivered anywhere in the UK in 24 hours, include Roses and Diamonds with tightly bound Grand Prix red roses with diamante crystals, Pink Powder with a romantic bouquet of pink avalanche roses enhanced with pink lilies, deep rose lisianthus and seasonal foliage and Cupid’s Arrow for Valentines with a dozen long stemmed dark red Grand Prix roses.
So whatever way couples want to say “I love you”, they have plenty of choice.