Various Valentine’s Day Ramblings

by

For this month’s post I started researching the history of Valentine’s Day, but ended up traveling down various rabbit holes. Today I’m sharing that journey and my musings with you. First, I discovered there’s confusion as to which St. Valentine the day honors. Apparently, there were two men named Valentine that are possibilities. The day has roots in a Pagan festival and became an official holiday in the 1300s. Valentines weren’t sent until the 15th century and mass-produced ones came to be in the 1840s. The tradition of giving flowers started in the 17th century, with the heart-shaped chocolate boxes we see everywhere arriving in 1861. Oh, and the discovery that surprised me was those hearts with the sayings were originally lozenges! (The messages were added in 1866.)

As I scrolled down under related content I found “7 Momentous Kisses in History.” They listed the first “post-married” kisses of Kate and William, Harry and Meghan, Ross and Rachel’s kiss on Friends, and others. Most—other than the on V-J Day 1945 and the interracial kiss between Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura, didn’t seem that iconic to me. But those kisses started me thinking about about epic movie kisses. Again, I found myself disagreeing with what I found. The kiss in Gone With the Wind after Rhett Butler tells Scarlett O’Hara in she needs kissing badly was there. So was the potter’s wheel kiss in Ghost. But the other kisses didn’t seem that memorable or epic in my opinion. So I began wondering about great Western movie kisses. When I Googled that I pretty much came up with nothin’ other than The Longest Ride—a great movie by-the-way and Brokeback Mountain. With all the great Western romances written, how come there weren’t more Western romance movies? Or at least romantic movies or romantic comedies with cowboys? Boy is Hollywood missing out on a great market there.

Lastly, my thoughts wandered to asking why this day has such a focus on romantic love. Why do we do that people when it makes people who aren’t in a relationship feel as if they’re not complete or less than they should be? And why is it such a big deal to get engaged on Valentine’s Day? Instead, we should simply celebrate love in general. Love between friends, parent and child, grandparents and grandchildren, and the list is endless. Love and kindness should be showered everywhere like confetti. That’s where we should place the emphasis—on sharing love and kindness to those who most need it and to those who are central to our lives. If we did that rather than focus so much on romantic love Valentine’s Day would be more inclusive and not as painful for some. Also, can you imagine the ripple effect and the changes that could result from seeing Valentine’s Day this way.

To be entered in today’s giveaway for the Valentine’s Day t-shirt and A Cure for the Vet tell me what’s your favorite romantic movie and why it’s so wonderful. Some of my favs are The Sure Thing, An American President, Operation Petticoat, and Father Goose. I can’t wait to hear yours. I need some new movies to watch!

Website |  + posts

Julie Benson has written five novels for Harlequin American, and her Wishing, Texas series is available from Tule Publishing. Now that her three sons have left the nest in Dallas, when she isn't writing, Julie spends her time working on home improvement projects, rescuing dogs, and visiting Texas wineries with her husband. Visit her at www.juliebenson.net.

75 thoughts on “Various Valentine’s Day Ramblings”

  1. One of my favorite romantic kisses was in Masterpiece’s North & South between Mr. Thornton and Margaret Hale. It was a slow burn enemies to love romance, and the kiss was filmed so well. You can google that moment.

    I treat Valentine’s Day as a special family day.

    I already have the book, so you don’t have to count me.

    denise

    • Denise, I’ll definitely Google the kiss! I’ve gone to treating the day as more of a family day as well. I think the day is a great reminder to express our appreciation and love for those in our lives. Thanks for stopping by today.

    • The Proposal is a great film. With the bad weather headed my way in Texas, I’m putting that on my movies to watch list. Even if it weren’t a great movie, watching Betty White’s performance would make it worthwhile. I still can’t believe she’s gone. I think we all thought she’d live forever. Thanks for stopping by today. Take care and stay safe.

  3. I just watched The Proposal and it is such a great movie. It is always fun when two mismatched people find their way to each other and fall in love.

    • Melanie, I love the Proposal, too! How can you go wrong with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock?! That brings to mind a fun, but very odd romantic movie…Deadpool. You wouldn’t think it’s a romance, but that’s a central part to the plot and without it, the movie would be lacking. I love a mismatched romance. That and fish out of water ones. They lend themselves to touches of humor much easier.

    • Teresa, that was one kiss that kept showing up on the iconic kiss lists, but I’ve never seen The Notebook. I’ve heard it’s super sad, and I’ve been nervous to watch it. I watched a wonderful movie…I don’t know if I’d call it a romance because of the ending, Seeking for a Friend for the End of the World with Steve Carell and Keira Knightley. I should’ve known from the title it would have a bittersweet ending, but it still caught me off guard. I have to prepare myself to watch that type of movie. I hear such wonderful things about The Notebook, maybe I’ll watch it while we’re homebound if we get ice and/or snow. Take care, stay safe, and thank you for stopping by today to chat.

  5. I used to watch a lot of movies, but I can’t remember one I’d name as my favorite in the romance department. I liked Titanic, but I’m a stickler for a happy ending in my romances. I haven’t watched but a handful of movies in recent years. I read more instead.

    • Janice, I’m a stickler about it too. (Read my comment above to Teresa above.) If a movie or book doesn’t have a Happily Ever After, I don’t call it a romance because to me, that’s part of the definition of a romance. Titanic and Rose and Jack’s kiss also showed up on a lot of iconic kiss lists. Most of my favs were older movies. Oooh, I forgot to add The Princess Bride! If you haven’t watched that one, you really should. And if you do, have fun storming the castle! Thank you for being here today. Take care and stay safe.

    • I knew y’all would come through for me with movie suggestions! I haven’t seen 50 First Dates. I’m adding that one to my bad weather watch list! (I hate to say this, but I’m going to be bummed out if we don’t have to stay inside for a couple days.) I’m always interested in a fun movie and if it has romance, even better! Thanks for the suggestion. Take care and stay safe.

    • Debra, I haven’t seen Ever After. Y’all are giving me a great list of movies to keep me entertained if we get the bad weather here in Texas as predicted. I just checked Google, and that is a Drew Barrymore movie like I thought. I think she’s underrated as a romantic lead. I’m definitely putting Ever After on my list. Thank you for stopping by and for the suggestion. Take care and stay safe.

    • Rhonda, I have to be in the right frame of mind to watch Titanic because it’s such a tragic story on so many levels. I’ve enjoyed watching a series, I can’t remember the name now, that tells the real life stories of passengers. One was on this town in Ireland that lost 15 or 18 young people. There was also poignant story about Ida and Isidor Straus. Thank you for stopping by today. Take care and stay safe.

    • Estella, I’m definitely going to watch The Proposal again. I’d forgotten how good and funny that movie was until so many of you have mentioned it. I wish Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds would make another movie together. What a wonderful combination. Thank you for being here today. Take care and stay safe.

  10. this is some interesting information. thanks for sharing. I agree that Valentines day should be about sharing love. I love your romantic movie ideas also. I love McClintoc such an intersting relationship that comes back to life.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

    • Lori, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. My mind sure did wander. It just kept tumbling from one thing to the next. After I wrote this post, I saw a Hershey’s Kisses commercial. It said exactly what I was trying to, that Valentine’s Day is for everyone. An angel on a bus says that very thing and then adds “that you deserve a kiss” as she hands out Hershey kisses. Here’s the link. https://www.ispot.tv/ad/qcmT/hersheys-valentines-day-is-for-everyone

      I don’t think I’ve ever seen McClintoc. I’m adding that to my bad weather movie watch list. Thanks for sharing the suggestion and for being here today. Take care and stay safe.

  11. John Wayne had some pretty memorable kisses in some of his movies – dang but can’t remember the name of the one where the 3 of them fall down the stairs!

    • Teresa, it’s interesting that you mention that. One of the sites I came across in my meanderings talked about John Wayne’s romantic movies. Here’s the link. https://mostlywesterns.com/john-waynes-romantic-movie-scenes/ Among the movies mentioned were The Fighting Kentuckian, Hitari (I’d never even heard of that movie), Angel and the Badman, Stagecoach, and Rio Bravo. I wonder what movie you’re thinking of. You’ve peeked my curiosity with the 3 of them falling down the stairs! Take care and stay safe.

    • Luanne, I love Hope Floats! In fact, when I was writing To Tame A Texas Cowboy, I had Harry Connick, Jr. in mind when I created my hero, Cooper Abbott. In fact, in an early scene if memory serves, my heroine and her BFF are talking and one refers to that movie when describing him. I may have to watch Hope Floats again if I get to do a bad weather movie marathon. Thanks for reminding me about that wonderful movie. Take care and stay safe. I appreciate you stopping by to chat today.

    • ‘this was in Mcclintock. He was so drunk and made a huge mess of the ladies trying to get him to bed. The cook was a bit tipsy as well. Very funny movie

  13. One of my top favorites is You’ve Got Mail. I enjoy enemies to lovers plots, and I really like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

    • Cheryl, thank you for being here today to chat. I haven’t seen that movie in ages. I may need to watch that one again. Thank you for being here today and for suggesting You’ve Got Mail. Take care and stay safe.

  14. I guess my favorited movie would have been Dirty Dancing but I also loved Gone With The Wind that I watched a while back. I have a copy of Gone With the Wind and also the book. Also have a copy of Dirty Dancing because I love Patrick Swayze in that movie.

    • I love Patrick Swayze too, and you won’t believe this, I’ve never seen Dirty Dancing. But, I’m adding it to my list. Thank you for being here today and mentioning that movie. Take care and stay safe.

  15. My favorite romantic movie was Dirty Dancing. I loved the chemistry between Johnny and Baby. The oldies music appealed to me too, brought back a few memories.

    • Connie, I hate to admit this, but I’ve never seen Dirty Dancing! I’m definitely going to have to remedy that situation this weekend. I love Patrick Swayze so I can’t imagine that I won’t enjoy the movie. Even if it wasn’t good, just watching him would be worthwhile. 🙂 Thank you for being here today. Take care and stay safe.

  16. I don’t watch a lot of movies. However, one to me that’s romantic is White Christmas. Also, War Room, because the main female character is fighting for her husband on her knees! When my parents were alive, I always took them out on Valentine’s Day.

    • Trudy, thank you for stopping by today. White Christmas is a good romance. Actually a double romance with one sister falling for Bing Crosby and the other for Danny Kaye. I enjoyed War Room, too.

      What a wonderful idea to take your parents out to dinner on Valentine’s Day. They were certainly blessed to have such a caring daughter. Take care and stay safe.

    • Casablanca is a classic and is still so relevant today. Some movies stand the test of time so well, and that’s one of them. Liking that movie has nothing to do with being old fashioned. 🙂 Thank you Anne for stopping by to talk with me today. Take care and stay safe.

  18. Cinema Paradiso is a beautiful, amazing and emotional movie that tugs at the heartstrings and never lets go. It is my ultimate favorite movie romantic and otherwise.

    • Ellie, I’ve never heard of Cinema Paradiso. I’ll definitely have to check it out. It’s raining here already. The temperature is still above freezing but that won’t last long. I think I’ll have lots of time to watch movies tomorrow. Thank you for being here and for your suggestion. Stay safe and take care.

  19. I love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Newsies, Pride and Prejudice, North and South, Sense and Sensibility, Hatari, Princess Bride, The Freedom Writers’ Diaries, and many more.

    The Freedom Writers’ Diaries book is more explicit than the movie. They kept that clean, which I appreciate because the message is good and I don’t need the gory details. I worked on the ambulance for five years and lived in Africa for half a year and Thailand for a month during a genocide as a teenager (19 and 15 respectively). I get it, I just don’t need to see/read in detail. I like clean and funny or inspiring or just entertaining. I like a few of the other movies mentioned here as well. What are some of your favorites?

    • Kristen, I’ve enjoyed some of the movies you mentioned. Some are new to me. I keep a list of movies to watch and I’ll add the rest to it. As a romance, I love The Sure Thing. It stars John Cusack, heavy sigh, and Daphne Zuniga. The film also says “introducing Nicollette Sheridan as the Sure Thing.” And you mentioned another of my favs, The Princess Bride. I’m forever quoting those two movies. I’m with you. I don’t need the gory details of the harsh world. I want to see a movie that makes me believe in love and that most people are good.

      You worked on an ambulance, lived in Africa and Thailand during a genocide? You are one strong woman and it sounds like your life could make a movie. I’m so glad you stopped by today. Take care and stay safe.

    • Caryl, I forgot about that movie. I love that one, too! I especially enjoy how the flashy, sexy guy that originally attracts her isn’t who she ends up with. So often the bad boy gets all the attention. There’s a lot to be said for the strong and steady type who is there for a woman. One who will see that she gets a stamp on her passport. Thanks for reminding me about While You Were Sleeping. Take care and stay safe.

    • Colleen, I haven’t seen that one but have added it to my to be watched list. I love a good fairy tale. Have you seen Ella Enchanted? It stars Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy. It puts a cute twist on Cinderella. It’s very funny and narrated by Eric Idle of Monty Python. Thank you for stopping by the corral today. Stay safe.

    • Pearl, I knew y’all would suggest new movies that I hadn’t seen. You’ve mentioned another one, From Here to Eternity. I’m aware of the movie, but have never taken the time to watch it. Thank you for suggesting it.

  23. My favorite romantic movie is “The Sound Of Music”.
    Why? It’s the perfect romantic movie. Girl has feelings for guy becomes afraid tries to hide but is forced to face her feelings and eventually finds out he has feelings for her and they finally get their happily ever after.

  24. I have an old favorite movie with Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert it is called The Egg and I , I love that move. I also love Doctor Zhivago. Have a great day and stay safe and warm.

    • Alicia, you mention two movies I haven’t seen, but I’m adding to my to watch list. You stay safe and warm, too. We’re already getting rain and the temperature is dropping fast.

  25. One which I have watched again and again is Brief Encounter. The atmosphere and the acting are superb. Sad too but realistic.

    • Sharon, for your suggestion. I haven’t seen that movie. I have to be in the right mood for a sad and realistic movie. Thank you for being here today. Take care and stay safe.

    • I thought I’d watched a lot of movies, but the only one of your list that I’ve seen is Notorious. I’ll have to check out the others. Thank you for being here and the suggestions. Take care and stay safe.

    • Megan, I love the Princess Diaries 2 and The Lake House, too. I haven’t watched Return to Me, but I’ll have to check it out. Thank you for the suggestion and for being here today. Take care and stay safe.

  28. One of my favorite is An Officer and a Gentleman, I also like Run Away Bride. Richard Gere is a favorite actor of mine. I have watched every movie he has starred in.

    • Speaking of Richard Gere, PRETTY WOMAN is a movie I could watch over and over again. Loved it. It shows how a girl who is a floozy can clean up and become quite a delightful person. Julia Roberts is so very funny!

    • Carolyn, those are good choices. I love the angst and tortured backstory of his character in An Officer and a Gentleman. Thank you for being here today. Take care and stay safe.

  30. The Man From Snowy River and The Return Of the Man From Snowy River

    Jim Craig went all out to prove his love for Jessica. Against the odds he gained the respect of her father and all the Outback cowboys. He established a business capturing wild horses. He won the competitions both the skilled and the capture of the illusive brombie leader.
    He also rescued Jessica when she was lost in the mountains.

    He was a compassionate man who respected her wishes. He was understanding, passionate, hardworking and trustworthy. He was athletic. He treated animals humanely.

    I loved these movies! Beautiful scenery, photography and musical score!

    • Western romances, yea! I’m putting those on my to be watched list. Both movies sound fabulous. Laurie, thank you for suggesting them and stopping by today. Take care and stay safe.

  32. Mine, is The Princess Bride and The Beauty and The Beast (the og Disney Cartoon).

    Yeah I’ve wondered that a lot myself, heck I give little cards and gifts to my gal and guy pals regardless (and fam of course too) .

    • Ashley, I’m forever quoting the Princess Bride! When I first saw it when it came out, I had no idea it would become such a classic! My youngest son was in a local production of Beauty and the Beast and it was had a real Disney cartoon feel to it. He was Lumiere, and so far it’s been my favorite of his performances. Thanks for being here. Take care and stay safe.

  33. I like Sleepless in Seattle. I especially liked the scene at the end where they finally meet on the top of the Empire State building on Valentine’s Day.

  34. I never worried about Valentine’s Day, but then again, I never had a serious boyfriend until the year I got engaged. That was the year I got my first Valentine card. It was a bit of a shock since we had just met again after 7 years and hadn’t yet dated. I agree that it should be spread over more than just our love interest. We have always done that. We make heart cookies for friends and for work. We send cards to others in the family, not just our spouse. To those we know, we wish them an enjoyable day. When I was a children’s librarian, I usually had a little something like chocolate kisses for those who came into the library that day. Sharing the good feelings does much to make people feel included and the world a nicer place.

      • Patricia, another Father Goose fan, yippee! The humor in that movie is unbelievable and it’s even funnier because it’s Cary Grant who made a career as a sexy leading man. And what can I say about African Queen except what a great fish out of water romance with two mismatched characters, not to mention Bogart and Hepburn?!

        Everyone’s responses have reassured me that people are indeed treating Valentine’s Day like a day to share love with all the people in our lives. Maybe it’s simply marketing and TV commercials that put the emphasis on romantic love. It probably started when jewelers and restaurants decided they could increase business by making Valentine’s Day a time to show romantic love.

        Take care, stay safe and warm.

Comments are closed.