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love by reducing it to material short? Do they stand with you
expressions on a specific through every circumstance?
day? Must love be defined by That is the true sign of
expensive gifts or elaborate love. Even if you do not get
Mercy Omari Chege gestures? What really is love the gift you want on this
is an Author, Media professional and Coun- and how is it expressed? commercialized day, consider
seling psychologist, who intertwines her love for all these other factors over the
communication with a commitment to empow- I pondered how our other 364 and a quarter days
ering individuals. She can be reached with: grandparents expressed love in you are together. Love is much
mercychege7@gmail.com
a simpler time. In many African more than a gift on Valentine’s
societies, love was conveyed Day.
discovered and executed on through poetic gestures,
February 14th. Another legend heroism, and traditional songs For those not in a relationship
portrays him as a sympathetic and dances. It felt organic, or experiencing the pain of a
figure helping Christians rooted in culture. Perhaps, love recent breakup, Valentine’s
escape Roman prisons. As is expressed according to the Day can be triggering. It serves
Africans, we sometimes find cultural norms of the day. as a reminder of what is absent
ourselves adopting traditions In contemplating the essence or lost. To you, I extend wishes
without fully understanding of love, the timeless definition for self-care, self-love, and the
their roots, perhaps influenced from 1st Corinthians 13 comes embrace of loved ones during
by what we’ve seen in movies. to mind. this potentially triggering day.
I remember one Valentine’s “Love is patient and kind. In conclusion, let this February
Eve when my husband came Love is not jealous or boastful be a celebration of love that
home late from shopping for a or proud or rude. It does not transcends material expressions
gift; he narrated the chaos in demand its own way. It is not and societal expectations.
the Central Business District irritable, and it keeps no record
of Nairobi as men scurried like of being wronged. It does not Love is not a one-day affair;
headless chickens, desperately rejoice about injustice but it’s a journey woven through
seeking the perfect gift (poor rejoices whenever the truth the fabric of each day. So, as
last-minute shoppers). The wins out. Love never gives up, you navigate the intricacies of
pressure was palpable, fueled never loses faith, is always expressing love, remember:
by the fear of facing the hopeful, and endures through love is not a transaction; it’s
consequences of not meeting every circumstance.” a heartfelt connection, it is a
the societal expectations of this choice and it is often a verb.
day of love. Is your partner patient with Disclaimer: Should you not get
you? Are they kind? Are they a gift for your loved one after
This got me thinking, is there to listen to you and cheer conviction over this article,
Valentine’s Day becoming a you on? Does your partner all consequences are solely on
burden? Are we cheapening forgive you when you fall you.
WWW.MSINGIAFRIKAMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE 24 | FEBRUARY 2024 67
