Valentines and Marriages

 Recently, at a performance in our town, the performers asked couples in the audience to raise their hands and keep them raised as long as the number of years they had been married were called out.  It was meant as an introduction to a love song.  To our surprise, my husband and I were the last to have our hands in the air, the longest married couple in that group!  In defense of revealing our age, it was a very cold evening, and older couples may have remained at home!!  This week's theme is Valentine's Day and marriage traditions over the years. 

Married couples make up 47% of American households.  That is a decline from 66% fifty years ago.  Part of that decline is because couples are marrying later, one source reporting 30.8% for men, and 28.2% for women.  Although couples are marrying later, statistics report that overall, 41% of first marriages end in divorce.  Of course, many happy marriages continue.

Not only statistics change, but also the traditional marriage celebrations change.  For a time, couples were choosing what was called "micro weddings," but that trend is back to larger weddings shared with family and friends, but skipping sit-down formal receptions and dinners, instead enjoying cocktail or party themes, or even backyard weddings.  

Honeymoons have definitely changed, the elaborate trips of today not at all common earlier, at least not in our imaginations when my husband and I married, working our way through college.  Newlywed budgets still impact honeymoons, but if money is no issue, extended trips are common.  Surprising to me, "Buddymoons" are a trend, in which the newlyweds travel with close friends or family. 

Married or single, sweethearts will be thinking of Valentine's gifts.  Traditions in that regard have changed little over the years.  Cards, flowers, and chocolates are still popular.  Going out to dinner is popular, but because of the typical crowds, many skip dining out. 

Searching for a lovely Valentine Story to share, I discovered a very unexpected Valentine Story.  A French Legend from long ago claims that women who were rejected by their Valentines would create a likeness of their unkind sweethearts and burn the effigy in public!  Because of the riots that caused, the government prohibited Valentine's Day in the early 19th Century.  

Today, French Sweetheart's celebrate Valentine's Day much as we do, with flowers, dinners, and chocolates.  

May your Valentine's Day be sweet!