February 14 is another day in the life of some young lovers. It is a day some boys and girls think it is a time to renew and reaffirm the love between them and their lovers. It is a day many think it is set aside for the lovers only. And it is this day many goes around with the question ‘will you be my Val?What a memorable and heroic day, February 14 is? A day that started some hundred years ago, it has become more famous every year within both the old and young ones.

The old refused to graduate from the excitement of the day, while the young are yawning to see the day so that they can express their inner feeling and attraction, which is more than the message behind the remembrance and the admiration. Valentine's Day is one of the days that gathered and attracted different opinion/stories from different people, story tellers and writers since there is no exact person that can narrate the exact stories as it was transpired in February 14 269 AD before and the day that marked the death of Saint Valentine himself.

However, some love experts relayed it that Valentine's Day originated from Saint Valentine, A Roman, who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity till he died on February 14, 269, which coincided with a day set aside to love lotteries. Some legend says that Saint Valentine who was serving jail before his death left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend when he was in the jail. He signed a farewell note that read “love from your Valentine" to her.

Another story that is synonymous to the day is that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius who had him jailed for defying him (his rules). So, in 496 AD (227 years later) Pope Gelosius set aside February 14 to honor Saint Valentine. Since then the day gradually became the date for exchanging of love messages while the name became the patron, intermediary, instrument, backbone, and strength for the lovers. In the beginning mostly in the west, the date was marked by sending poems and gifts such as flowers, cards, and light items to love one.

In Africa too it is now a celebration among every matured man and woman to celebrate this remarkable day. Also there was often a social gathering or occasion for get-together. And here in Gambia it is time for admirers to express their love, caring and reconciliation to the one they cherish and more especially to seal the existing love. However, the day has been commercialized with commercial love cards, frames, flowers, and club parties, with different celebrations to mark the day.

The spirit of good continues as Valentine's presents are send out with sentimental, emotional verses, feelings and school children and some office workers exchange Valentine’s cards with the words 'you are my Val' and 'be my Val.' More so, in ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honor Juno who was the Queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. They also know her as the goddess of women and marriage. Because of this, February 15 started the feast of Lupercalia.

Okay, let's talk more about this; the lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, it is a custom of the young people's names to be drawn on the eve of this festival of Lupercalia. That is, names of Roman girls will be written on slips of paper and placed into jars. This will enable each young man to draw a girl's name from the jar and they would become partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. This pairing can last for the whole year and sometime they can fall in deep love and get marry.

Saint Valentine was jailed for the reason that he defied Emperor Claudius II who cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome because he was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that Roman men didn't want to leave their loves or families. The good and lovely Saint Marius then aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples. For this kind deed, Saint Valentine was caught and dragged before prefect of Rome, who sentenced him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. On this Valentine suffered martyrdom on the 14th of February 269 AD and this was coincided with Lupercalia.

Let digress a bit, everyone knows that Valentine gifts are numerous in the market and include: cards, frames, cakes, flowers, and more other valuable attractive love's items. But do you know that nothing says it is Valentine's Day better than red roses? Okay, there is meaning for each item you give to your love ones. Let's dwell on flower. The meaning of Valentine's Day flowers with red roses is love. It is one of the ideal ways but not very much original of telling your lover that you love them without saying a word. You need to have the mindset of what type of flower arrangement, including colours would personalize them best.

As you are always anxious to witness Valentine's Day, keep in mind the type of person that you are buying for, probably your wife, girlfriend, concubine, boyfriend, husband, family, friend, co-worker or whosoever. Roses come in a variety of colours with meanings. The red rose stands for love, the yellow is for friendship and the pink colour is all about happiness. With any of this flower, Valentine's Day is by far the most romantic days especially among the young and newly found lovers. As red rose is favorite on this day, it also has a very strong meaning of passion. That is what this fragrant gift should convey is for the meaning of Valentine's Day flowers.

I have one question for you. There are two days in which flower-giving is most popular; Valentine's Day is one, but which day is the second? Answer this and score yourself an awaited lover of your life present. Flower giving during Valentine's Day is a token of your affection to the one that you love. Do you know that women are not the only recipients on this day? Men love to be in this role too, because it is time for you to say I LOVE YOU SWEET HEART. If you must know, the meaning of Valentine's Day flowers or gifts for the man in your life is a unique symbol of love.

The arrangements should be kept simple and masculine. So, what's your plan for this Val's Day? You don't know yet. Okay, give a bouquet to your special one, they will know instantly that you have thought of them on this day and hopefully their love for you will rise. As a truthful lover, you will be joggling and swimming even bursting with love. This day will be forever remembered.

Having talked about red rose for Valentine's Day, I expect everyone to knowhow the person attracted to you and what type of rose you can buy. You can consider buying a sunflower for the person in your life. The meaning of this Valentine's Day flower is admiration. Your special one will feel adored by you all day long. How about a FORGET-ME-NOT? This flower and card means true love.

However, the meaning of Val's Day flower can be whatever you like it to be if you plan it well. The receiver will get an overwhelming feeling of appreciation. No matter what type of flower you give, one thing is for sure; your lover will love the thought and the motive behind more than the item itself.