Sometimes All You Need is Love... and Pigs and Wine

Today, as I ate lunch with my coworkers, one of them pointed out that everyone at our table was from a different country. We had someone from America (me!), the UK, France, Russia, Finland, Japan, China, Brazil, but no two people from the same country. This just does not happen in the states!

Through talking with people from different countries, I've learned that Valentine's day is not celebrated the same way in every place. In the US and UK, it is a Hallmark celebration of love, hearts, chocolates, flowers... but there are many other cultural celebrations of the day:

Bulgaria - Aaron's coworker told us that instead of being a romantic holiday, February 14 is filled with wine and parties to celebrate Dionysus, the god of wine. Sounds like my kind of holiday!

Saudi Arabia - Valentine's Day is banned :'( Where is the love?

Finland - Instead of celebrating with sweethearts, the day is spent with friends! It's more of a friendship day and way to say, 'I love you guys/girls!'

Germany - The Germans celebrate this day similar to the UK and US, except they throw in a nice twist into the tail: pigs! A pig represents luck and lust so often times this adorable animal is on the cards and gifts that are given and received... note to self: must celebrate Valentine's day 2015 in Germany so Aaron will be forced to buy me a pig : )

Tonight Aaron and I are going to one of our favorite restaurants in London called Picture (we've been here long enough that I can say that now, right?) and we will be celebrating our first Valentine's Day as husband and wife!

The newlyweds abroad wish you a jolly good Valentine's day, filled with lots of love, pigs and wine!