Gransnet forums

Chat

Ash Wednesday/Valentine' s Day

(58 Posts)
polomint Wed 14-Feb-24 08:34:33

Both fall on the same day this year. Which one means anything to you or does the day just pass like any other? We are going to get our ashes this morning and I gave my husband an unexpected valentine card as he has not been in great health the last few years

ginny Wed 14-Feb-24 16:34:05

We have never taken any notice of either.
We did have pancakes yesterday but that was to celebrate DD3 coming 5th in the local pancake race. The original and oldest race in the country.
However, DH did return from shopping with a bunch of roses but was quite surprised when I asked if they were for Valentine’s Day.

M0nica Wed 14-Feb-24 15:45:50

Our wedding anniversary is on 17th Febrary, so we have never bothered with St Valentine's day.

Marydoll Wed 14-Feb-24 15:32:28

We celebrated our Valentine's Day yesterday, as it was our anniversary of getting engaged 49 years ago.

This morning I received a lovely card, a dress and two pairs of earrings. 😍

We then went to Mass and received our ashes. Spaghetti alle vongole tonight, as no meat allowed.
However, I love clams, so not a penance. 😉

So.. we managed to celebrate both days!

Kim19 Wed 14-Feb-24 15:15:29

Whilst we were engaged, my husband said he would buy me flowers any day I fancied but never on Valentine's day; He regarded the whole thing as American nonsense. He stuck to it and.......didn't matter a jot. In fact, it was an ongoing joke.

TwiceAsNice Wed 14-Feb-24 15:00:53

Ash Wednesday for me is the beginning of Lent. I will give up all sweet stuff chocolate biscuits etc until Easter. Don’t like pancakes so take no notice of Shrove Tuesday although I had a scone last night and a few pieces of chocolate as last “treats” before today.

Never really did Valentine’s Day and now divorced that’s definitely just another day

Norah Wed 14-Feb-24 14:57:45

Received our ashes and given cards - nice day.

Maggiemaybe Wed 14-Feb-24 14:57:37

Oh, Beechnut. flowers

Beechnut Wed 14-Feb-24 14:54:19

Yes, you do have to celebrate while you can. It doesn’t upset me that people want show their love today. DH and I wished each other a Happy Valentine’s Day and he slipped away that evening.

Smileless2012 Wed 14-Feb-24 11:21:15

Ash Wednesday has more meaning to us, although Mr. S. has brought me a beautiful floral display and card for Valentines day which isn't something he does every year.

Maggiemaybe Wed 14-Feb-24 11:15:46

Love it, LauraNorder. grin

On the basis that you’ve got to take the chance to celebrate while you can, we’ll be having an M & S Valentine’s meal deal tonight, including the prosecco. I’ve given DH a card and a giant Toblerone. Apparently he’ll be buying my card and a bunch of daffs on his trip to town this morning - the anticipation is killing me. smile

I’m ashamed to say that despite the fact that we had way too many pancakes yesterday, I’d forgotten about Lent. I will be observing it in some way, but might have to start tomorrow…

Grandma70s Wed 14-Feb-24 11:09:05

Neither means anything to me. I’m not religious, and we’ve never been card-sending types. One of my sons does celebrate Valentine’s Day with his wife - perhaps she expected it.

Visgir1 Wed 14-Feb-24 10:56:49

We have been together 40 years.. I have had flowers and a card every year. DH was in the Military and even when he was away he sort before or while he was oversea.
Otherwise he's not very romantic!

karmalady Wed 14-Feb-24 10:53:21

LauraNorderr, you carried me blissfully along with your valentine journey, I was sad to then read it was a dream. Oh well

Valentine day in the early years was wonderful, the tlc chocolates etc. Life then took over and we stopped celebrating the `will you be mine stuff?` no need, we were a unit, together with growing and certain love, until the day I was widowed.

I don`t do ashes nor palm crosses either, they were part of my childhood brain washing

crazyH Wed 14-Feb-24 10:52:46

LauraNorder - it’s the dream that counts 😍

Beechnut Wed 14-Feb-24 10:48:17

Oh LauraNorderr 🤣🤣

Georgesgran Wed 14-Feb-24 10:46:56

You had me going there Laura for a few seconds!

Georgesgran Wed 14-Feb-24 10:46:18

Never celebrated either.
I don’t like pancakes and neither Valentine nor Lent are really in my vocabulary.
Just another day.

Purplepixie Wed 14-Feb-24 10:42:08

We always buy each other cards and sweets. this year I got a massive box of Hotel chocolates. Tonight hubby is making a special tea and we will go out for something to each once I get back on my feet.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 14-Feb-24 10:38:44

We have been together for over 40 years, cannot remember the last time we celebrated Valentine’s Day.

Although I am not Catholic I always give up something/s for lent, this year it’s all treats (biscuits, crisps, snacks and deserts)

LauraNorderr Wed 14-Feb-24 10:35:54

Got out of bed to find a trail of rose petals leading to a huge bouquet of red roses and some heart shaped chocolates in shiny red wrapping.
On the mantelpiece was a beautiful card containing a love poem written by Orlin and a gold embossed card inviting me to dinner at my favourite Italian restaurant…
and then I woke up.

Calendargirl Wed 14-Feb-24 10:19:21

Valentines Day seems yet another excuse to jump on the retail bandwagon.

Local bakery this morning with heart shaped cakes and biscuits. I didn’t succumb, a cup cake is about £1.98.

Bah humbug!

Redhead56 Wed 14-Feb-24 10:15:48

We have had a difficult time recently with family health issues. I made lovely pancakes yesterday and today making a nice meal for Valentines. We might be getting older but any excuse to brighten us up will do.

BigBertha1 Wed 14-Feb-24 09:46:55

Neither I think because my birthday is 2 days earlier I have exhausted both the budget and the emotions!!

Greyduster Wed 14-Feb-24 09:45:53

No more Valentines cards here sadly, but GS stayed over last night and I will cut his breakfast toast into a heart😍! I once did that with DH’s sandwiches and when he opened them at his desk he got his leg pulled mercilessly!

MiniMoon Wed 14-Feb-24 09:38:46

No Valentines in this house, but DH is having his pancakes today. Yesterday rather got away from us. DH had to work and I had a GP appointment for gallbladder pain. I won't be joining him in eating any pancakes for fear of upsetting it again.