It's the thought that counts right? Well, I think often about updating our blog posts and just never can find the time to do so, but what good is a thought that is not shared? So here I am ready to share some knowledge, fun and links to FREE Valentines with you all!
I read a post on Facebook, this morning, by a mother in a nearby town warning parents of her sons' school that she was sending roses with her young sons to share with their female classmates. It was her hope that, by doing so, it would teach her young sons to become gentlemen. But, it was the fact that she felt the need to warn society and plead with them to be accepting of this wonderful gesture that was bothersome to me. I think if we could get back to learning about the meaning of these holi-days (Holy Days), we would all be better for it! Tomorrow is all about courage and love!
Where does the name come from? Why all the talk of love? Why February 14th? There are actually three men with the name Valentine that share the feast day of February 14th: a priest martyr, a bishop martyr and a martyr from Africa. All three were martyred for the greatest of all loves: love of Christ. But it is the Roman priest, Fr. Valentine, that lived during the reign of the Emperor Claudius II for which we commonly celebrate this beautiful feast. Claudius was most interested in an effective and powerful military force. It was his belief that married soldiers were too attached to their wives and families and were, thus, too weak to be successful in battle. He issued an edict banning marriage in his empire. Fr. Valentine, disobeying this unlawful order, continued to marry young couples in secret. Once caught, he would face execution. While awaiting his fate, he continue to share his love of the Faith, the love of Christ, with his jailers. One jailer, wishing for proof of the Faith, asked for a miracle. He had a daughter that was blind and he wished for her to be healed. Fr. Valentine prayed for the jailer's intention and she was healed. After his execution, a note was found in his cell addressed to the jailer's daughter and signed "your Valentine".
St. Valentine lived in a world where marriage was under attack. Courageously, he stood for the Sacrament of Marriage. In today's fast paced world full of distractions and temptations, it would be good to imitate the virtues of this great saint! A great way to do that is exactly what the mother in that Facebook post is doing: teaching her sons to be courageously chivalrous by showing their female classmates respect and honoring their femininity.
Think you know all there is to know about St. Valentine now?! Not hardly! Did you know he is also associated with BEES!!!! Yes, he is one of the patron saints of beekeepers! Legend has it that he had an apiary at his Church. It is more likely that it was his association with marriage and love that led to others connecting him to bees, honey and beekeepers! Honeybees have always been associated with fertility and love and so, it was only natural that those that lived during this time would connect them with the Sacrament of Marriage as they began to learn about this wonderful vocation and the Catholic Faith! After all, why do you think we call it a HONEYMOON!
Now that you've learned a bit about the history of this great feast, I have compiled a list of some free printables that I found to be useful! The first you've already noticed above is a coloring page of St. Valentine. The rest are east to print valentines that you and your kids can do together to share with others!
Classy Valentine Card
An easy printable, perfect for yourself or your older children to print as a classy black and white or have fun coloring this one and giving it to that special valentine of yours!
Just a reminder, this one would pair very well with a jar of either our local honey or a tin of our Healing Salve for her or one of our bottles of Spicy or Reapin' Hot Honey for him!!!
Flashy, Classy & Super Easy!
I loved this one! Placing it over top of some glitter paper just gives it that extra wow factor!
The hand lettering of this one really gives it that personalized touch as it is, but you can do so much with this one!
You can tape a candy to the edge, place a lollipop through it or, as the picture shows, tie your favorite lip balm with a beautiful ribbon. (HINT HINT: we've got your favorite lip balm in stock!)
Check out the link for the printable and to see more ways to customize it!
Yes for Yellow Valentines!
Did you know yellow is the color for friendship?! Sometimes the hearts, the reds, the pinks just don't seem to fit. In that case, this printable is for you!
Handlettering, great illustrations and variety make this the perfect printable for your kids to share with their classmates! Cut them out and staple them to a bag full of goodies or holepunch the corner and tie them to a lollipop!
Perfect for the Littles!
This craft is a cute and easy one to do with the littles, especially after sharing the story of St. Valentine and his connection to love, marriage and the bees!
You do have to enter your email to receive the download, but it's well worth it to watch your kids have fun cutting out and assembling this one. Dads, this is super easy and Mom will love getting this one from her little one(s)!
Bonus points if you add some googly eyes!!
Last but Certainly not LEAST!
If you know me, you know I love a good pun. So I must admit the "you are the balm!" valentine made this one my favorite!
I also love this font. I've never seen one quite like it and I think it really works with the simple design.
Another great thing about these is how many you get per page. It's a super easy download and print and you get multiple of the same valentine per page to cut out.
Print them out on cardstock for best results!
Made these and need some balm???
We've got you covered! Just contact us today to get your order delivered to you to have these ready to go!
We hope that you enjoyed learning about the Feast of St. Valentine's Day and that you will consider celebrating it in a special way for someone you love.
Contact us for all your honeybee needs! We have muth jars (8oz), hexagon jars (8oz) and squeeze bottles (16oz) as well as lip balms and a few Healing salves ready to deliver!
Check out what we have to offer and contact us for ordering! 229-608-8013
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