Big Lake Seniors were invited to lunch at Saron Lutheran Church Monday in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Maryanne Danner Wheat, accompanied by George Ackland on guitar, sang some old songs which had the audience singing along. “It was really a blessing for me to be able to do this today,” she said. “It is my father’s birthday and although he is long gone, he was the musical one in the family and had his own band.” Youth Pastor Curtis Reick shared some fun Valentine’s Day facts. “In the Middle Ages, there was a war,” Reick said. “Not too many young men showed up to fight, so the king banned marriage because he thought that was the problem. Valentine thought love was the most special thing in the world and he secretly married hundreds of couples.” Signing Xs and Os on the bottom of a letter is also a custom from the Middle Ages, Reick said. People who couldn’t write would sign their names with an X, then kiss it to show their sincerity. “Casanova, the world’s greatest lover, claimed it was because of his diet,” Reick said. “Chocolate was what did it for him.” Reick opened a big box of chocolates to share. “There was also a belief that if a young girl ate unusual foods the night before Valentines Day, she would dream of her future lover.” Teachers get the most Valentines cards, followed by children, mothers, wives and pets, Reick said. “Come to think of it, I don’t remember the last time I got a Valentine,” he said. “Men mostly buy their wives jewelry or clothing, but most wives say what they would like most is a nice dinner out, Reick said. “My wife Linda and I will have lunch at White Castle,” Reick said. “I am going to take my Sweetie out and treat her like a queen.” “It is a tradition for a man to carve a wooden spoon for his wife and decorate it with keys and keyholes, as in you hold the key to my heart,” Reick said. “I got my wife a belt and a new bag. I hope she appreciates it. The vacuum cleaner is working a lot better now.” “A billion cards will be sent out this week, more than any other time of the year except Christmas,” Reick said. Doves are a symbol of Valentines Day because they mate for life, Reick said. “I was at the post office and a man was mailing out 500 Valentine’s Day cards,” said Reick. “He was sticking Love stamps on them all and he had signed each one, guess who? I asked him why he was doing that and he told me he was a divorce lawyer.” Lunch was served buffet style, with a choice of casseroles, salads and desserts. Then young people from Agape Preschool came in and sang two Valentine’s songs and gave Valentine’s cards they had made to all the guests. There were also lots of door prizes. “There are a lot of people to thank for this meal today,” said Reick. “And they are not all here. You all have some kind of tie to this place. We want you to know you are deeply loved by us and it is an honor to have you here today.”