Feast Day Of Vali

Everyone knows about February 14th being designated for "Valentine's Day", the day of lovers that is celebrated with heart-shaped boxes of candy, romantic gifts and valentines given to those beloved. Some couples even make a point to go out for dinner or a movie on this day to rekindle their love. February 14th is indeed a very special day, but long before the early two Christian martyrs named Valentine that this special day is currently named after lived, during the B.C. periods, the ancient Indo-Europeans in Northern Europe (the "Germanic" peoples including the Norse) celebrated February 14th as The Feast Day of Vali also referred to as The Festival of the Family. This day was held sacred to the god Vali and in honor of family and friendships.
Vali was known as the defender of the family unit, light, and goodness. Vali was the son of the god Odin and goddess Rindr, as well as the half-brother of Baldr, Thor, and Hodur. Vali was depicted as a bowman with arrows of light that are filled with love. Some anthropologists theorize that the god Vali was the Northern European version of Eros (Greek myths) and Cupid (Roman myths), with a unique twist, where he also represented family and friendship types of love, like the love between friends, siblings, spouses, parents and children, cousins, and the like. Far more encompassing on the love theme in comparison to Eros and Cupid.
In the Poetic Edda (Volupso and Baldrs Draumar sections), Vali was known for avenging his half-brother Baldr's death which defines him as a god of "just vengeance". The type of vengeance that upon dispensing causes balance in society, harmony, and good to avail. This "just vengeance" did not encompass spiteful or petty revenge. Today, as an example, a type of "just vengeance" would be the death penalty imposed upon a serial killer. This would bring about a balance in society, harmony, and good. Save others from being murdered by the serial killer.
February 14th was a very important family and friends day to the early Northern-Europeans. It was not just a day to give toasts and feasts in honor of the god Vali. This was a day dedicated to the family unit, its members, and friends. Which is why this day was also known as The Festival of the Family, an appropriate name since that is exactly what they did. On February 14th, the entire community would hold a festival (day of feasting with live entertainment) and every community member would have much fun together as family and friends.
This ancient history of February 14th makes this day even more amazing. This is a day for honoring families and friends, not only lovers. A day to spend time with all we love and grant the gift of quality time. February 14th has always been a day set aside for expressing and commemorating love and good will toward others. Now that is truly wonderful and special! Something definitely worthy of celebrating.