September 17th: Love and Friendship Day in Colombia

Unlike most of countries, today in Colombia is celebrated the love and friendship day. Although this day also makes reference to St Valentine's day because of comercial reasons (February is the tipical month when school starts in Colombia and people are spending money in books, school fees, uniforms, etc), we celebrate it the second saturday of September.

I was researching a little bit about the history behind st valentine's day and I found two particular legends that explain its origin:

1. Saying that St Valentine was killed on Feb 14th, as he would refuse to quit cristianism, and secretly married some couples while the emperor Claudio II had prohibited it.
2. That this saint day was related to lovers because it matches with the time of the year when birds start getting couples.

Interesting, right?? Well, at least in Colombia we never get this stories, what we get are presents from our friends (usually we play the secret friend), and if we happen to be dating someone this day we would at least spend a romantic nite.

Being in Brazil this day is not noticed at all, I think I miss all hearts and tipical decoration everywhere as it should be happening in Colombia...as here they celebrate it in June (FEB is just carnivals here, and your lover comes in absolutely second place!!)

Anyways, without comercial purposes and means, is nice to take a moment and realize who your friends are, I think I'm lucky to have so many, people that beyond the distance truly care about me, angels as I call them. Thanks guys for always being there! I love you!

I will surely celebrate today while attending to some surprise b'day party of a venezuelan friend, I'll find the time to toast to all of you!

Happy love and friendship day, and God bless you!

Johanna