“Scandinavian romance” need not be an oxymoron.
While St. Valentine’s Day is not indigenous to the Nordic countries,
Scandinavian-Americans, with a little help from Ingebretsen’s,
can let their romantic partners know that they are, indeed, loved.
(For the truly Nordic, you can let your romantic partner know
that she or he is appreciated, if that makes you feel better.)
The origins of the festival are a little murky,
with stories of three different Roman saints, all named Valentine
and all martyred, competing for the title of the St. Valentine.
The most likely person to be nominated for the role of the original romantic
is a 3rd Century priest who defied Roman emperor Claudius III’s decree that young men should not be allowed to marry, since that was the emperor’s pool for army recruits. Valentine continued to marry young couples in secret. Once discovered, Valentine was imprisoned and sentenced to death.
The prison keeper’s daughter frequently visited Valentine
during his imprisonment and before his execution,
he sent her a letter thanking her for her kindness,
signing it “From your Valentine,”
a phrase that has stayed with Western culture ever since.
Skeptics may find that story a little too “pat,”
but who needs historical accuracy
when one can have chocolate?
Click on our heart
for our suggested romantic gifts with a kiss of Scandinavian influence...
