They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
Today is Valentine’s Day, the day that is known for love and lovers. Most people don’t know the history behind the day. It is the day associated with Saint Valentine, but who was he?
Saint Valentine lived in the third century and during the Roman Empire. According to historical records, the Emperor of Roman banned marriages thinking that single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine was arrested and found guilty of secretly performing weddings. During his time in jail waiting for his execution, St. Valentine converted jailers to Christianity and was asked by the head jailer to heal his daughter. St. Valentine started praying for the girl and after his execution, a letter was found written to the girl which was signed “your valentine”.
You may be asking “what does this have to do with the farm?” Well, in 496 AD St. Valentine was made the Patron Saint of Beekeepers. “Why?” you might ask. Well in many cultures, bees are symbolic of love and beekeepers symbolize the protection of love, marriage, and family. Beekeepers work to maintain the growth of the beehive, so the bee colony thrives. As the bee colony thrives new generations are born continuing the love and the family. The love flow is symbolized by honey which a strong colony can easily produce.
Throughout history, honeybees have been associated with love. In some cultures, a bride and groom walk through a honeybee swarm together and if one of the two is stung then the marriage must be meant to be. In many cultural myths, honey is used as a love potion and said to cause couples to fall in love.
Here on the farm, we have always known that our honeybees are special and work hard pollenating and producing honey. As a beekeeper, we love our bees and strive to protect them so that they can help us. We have seen through the years, the more we do to protect them and provide for them, the more honey that flows from the hives.
So, on this Valentine’s Day, show love with honey from the symbol of love and let the love flow as sweet as honey.
Thanks for visiting and welcome to our Serenity.
Welcome to Serenity 