Secular, mainstream American traditions seep into even the most insular Amish settlements, whether that be some Santa at Christmas or fireworks on the Fourth.
Is Joe going to bring Lovina a bouquet of flowers or some chocolates today? Probably not (okay, I’ll give Joe some “kudos” if I find out later that he did:) The Amish generally shy away from the outright, overt celebration of such occasions, although I am sure you’d find exceptions. Among younger Amish you might find some courtship rituals enjoying a bit more attention today. And Amish children that attend public schools will probably be doing something to mark the day. I was in an Amish settlement in Michigan on Valentine’s Day a couple of years ago and the Amish woman whose home we were visiting had heart-shaped glazed doughnuts cooling on a nifty little doughnut cooling rack. It was a rack that looked like a little tree and the hot doughnuts would hang on one of the “branches” to cool, the branches would go through the center doughnut hole. That was pretty neat, and the doughnuts were delicious. I wish I had thought to ask where she got that cooling contraption and how she made her doughnuts into heart-shapes. SIGH, mysteries….
So, what are your Valentine’s Day plans? Or is the day just an overrated boon for florists and candy-makers?
Today is our 36th wedding anniversay, but we probably won’t to anything until this week end. We like to avoid the crowds.
Happy Anniversary, Barb!
We will celebrate with chinese food at home and movie watching in front of the fireplace. >Sigh<
today is our 20th anniversay, and my wonderful husband is repainting our 2 story home. we had dove candy with lunch and will go out for lunch on a cheaper day than today. service to each other is so much more meaningful than commercialism.
Amen!
Sorry, but to me valentine’s is just a halmark holliday. Just a way for companies to make that extra dollar. If you other half treats you with love & kindness all year long, there’s no need to set aside one day out of the year for them to show their affection.
I got my Valentine a sweet card, a box of Esther Price candy, made a nice pork chop dinner and a chocolate pie with pat-a-pan pie crust for dessert. Still spoiling him after 30+ years.