How to survive the St Valentine's Day Massacre

Just when you had recovered from Christmas another emotional day looms on the horizon.  St Valentine's Day sounds innocent enough but for anyone getting divorced and in a delicate emotional state this rampant love fest is a thorny one.  It generates over a billion cards worldwide and puts smiles on the faces of restaurateurs.  So, where did this irksome day come from and how should a newly single person deal with it?

Where did it all come from? 
Valentine's Day has its roots way back in the middle ages.  A young man called Valentine, (who rubbed shoulders with Geoffrey Chaucer of Canterbury Tales fame and was made a saint on being declared a religious martyr), urged his fellow courtiers to go public about their feelings of love. Up until that point, being British, we kept our feelings under wraps for 365 days of the year.

When St Valentine's Day came along, it offered a window of opportunity to spill the beans on matters of the heart. I love you. I love you.  I love you. Better out than in and you certainly don't hear the florists complaining!

How to cope and have fun 
For anyone coping with life after divorce or suffering in the divorce process, who considers romance a hot, sticky, distant jungle and a place to avoid, you can still relish the day.  Enjoy the custom of sending cards anonymously to cheer up an aesthetically challenged friend.  Your teenage daughter will be thrilled to think she has a secret admirer.  Better still annoy your bitchy work colleagues by receiving a ‘surprise' bouquet.  Who on earth could have sent me a dozen red roses?!

Alternately, treat yourself to a new experience with the divorce settlement.  Book yourself a manicure, Indian head massage or session of reflexology.  You could take the opportunity to go to a concert or organise a get-together with friends.  At a time when restaurants are fleecing the love-sick fools suggest an at-home, whereby everyone turns up with a tempting dish. 

Forget the reasons for divorce - Valentine's Day is about love and a good day to focus on your children.  You could do a lot worse than take them to a pizza place for a family treat.  If they are booked up with hot-dates, you could lavish some attention on your marvellous mother or deserving dad with a great bottle of French wine.