Omnnia vincit Amors, et nos cedamus Amor. Vergil f.n.1
This blog piece started out as a more considered piece than I suspect it may turn out. The considerable amount of research and abundant sources (Wikipedia, Vergil) would surprise you. And perhaps delight.
I have a personal experience with one of these characters, as, well, as I tell the story of how my true love and I met – there was drinking and shouting (directed toward me) involved, but more of that at another time or over a Guinness at The Brazen Head; well, to get to the point. I have told innumerable persons that my love at our first true meeting came up to me and told me I had a big mouth [fact check – “true”] (it was about 2:30 in the morning, a party, some trying to sleep). I commented to my bud, Dickie, “she’s a hot little thing!” and believe that cupid struck me with one of its love-potioned arrows [f.n.2]. It’s true, I will always believe it was Cupid striking me. That was 50 years ago.
Let’s get back to the story: Saint Valentine - yes, he really is a saint - lived a long time ago, in the Third Century AD. Likely switching from the worship of early Roman gods, he turned Christian and soon commenced marrying people. Skipping over the long story … St. Valentine was jailed and before he was executed, sent a note to the jailor’s daughter, signing it “Your Valentine”. [What, you thought it was a writer from Medici or Hallmark cards who created that?]
Cupid, the little guy you think is so cute – well, he’s a mischievous little angel, in earlier times referred to as Eros by the archaic Greeks. In my determination, the Greek gods used him to make mischief with humans, making them fall in love with the various humans and bearing children (“Leia and the Swan”).
Real or imagined, it makes for great stories. Equally as important, it serves your purposes of using them along with my drink recipe that follows, with ta femme (your girl). You can tell ta femme the story of St. Valentine; there is no need for attribution. Tell her you were researching the history of St. Valentine. As you are surely aware, we are closing in on the annual western world holiday of Valentine’s Day. Few men, one of whom is a well-respected son-in-law, are able to ignore Valentine’s Day as a superfluous celebration. He does redeem himself, carrying it off quite well, frankly; however, he’s the exception to the rule.
Typically, a gentleman is expected to take his lady out for dinner, possibly dancing. The gentleman is of course appropriately dressed. Dinner need not be the traditional restaurant dinner, it could be an upscale bar or pub that serves a variety of appetizers. Wien’s Ritz Carlton Melounge Lobby Bar comes to mind. Just seek out something that has some piano music or other light orchestra accompaniment. Purchase a meaningful gift (no, that does not mean a gift certificate to “The Agent Provocateur”). Make it something personal that you pick out with a sales associate’s assistance. Suggestions – a clutch purse on the elegant side; or perhaps a black slip dress. Of course, gold jewelry is always a perfect choice. If appropriate, one might have it delivered to the lass’s place of work. Imagine the delight as she opens the box from Selfridge’s, or Galeries Lafayette (Paris), or Berlin’s KaDaWe, or Neiman Marcus. And the laughter that will flow as jealous co-workers see the sleek, silky black slip dress you have selected for her to wear for the evening.
Forego the bouquet of flowers or dozen red roses. Seek out something different that your girl might take with her for the evening – such as single red rose…tulip…gardenia flower, with embellishment, intended to be carried with her and laid down on the table, or otherwise shown off to those around, making them wistful for a gentleman like you who went to such extent.
Suggested “alternate dining” locations around the world intended to make a girl swoon ---
Munchen - Schumann’s Les Fleurs du Mal
Paris - Candelaria – Le Marais
Athens - A for Athens Roof Bar in Mitropoleos
Washington -The Prime Rib Piano Bar or Willard’s Round Robin Bar
Dublin - Back Bar, The Brazen Head (ask for Steve)
Amsterdam - Bols Bar, 2 free drinks!
Belfast - Champagne Lounge, Merchants
Venezia - Harry’s Bar or The Cipriani’s San Giorgio Bar
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| Valentine's Day A Sarah Houghland Photo |
To veux être ma Valentine?
Cocktail: Kir Royale.
Champagne (not sparkling wine) and Chambord.
Music: Charles Aznavour, or a personal favorite of mine, “This is the Night for Love” the Valiants.
Appetizer: Smoked oysters; or Oyster Gratin with Noilly Prat Zabaglione
Footnote to scholarly publication.
Footnote 1. “Love conquers all, and so let us surrender ourselves to love” – Vergil, an ancient guy who wrote a lot.
Footnote 2. Cupid's arrows were filled with a potion with inscrutable desire.
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| Sarah Houghland Personal Blog Photographer |
