Everyone knows that this Wednesday is Valentine’s Day, but does everyone know that this holiday is shared with a Christian holiday called Ash Wednesday?

This marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent.

I, for one, as a Christian get the joy of celebrating a holiday filled with love while wearing ashes on my forehead.

Some people may be unhappy as Mass or services can be intrusive on their Valentine’s Day plans, but what Christians should know is that Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, so people should not be so upset as they are not required to go.

I will enjoy spending Ash Wednesday with a God that I love so if someone really loves God they should not find it too much of an inconvenience to at least attend a service.

Another thing that people are really upset about with Ash Wednesday being Valentine’s Day is that they do not get to go out for a nice steak dinner because Catholics are not supposed to eat meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during the 40 days of Lent.

A person can have a nice Valentine’s Day meal without having meat.

I think that if that is why a person is upset they should change their Valentine’s Day dinner for the day before or after Valentine’s Day.

I say overall if you are with the person you love on Valentine’s Day, it is a win.

It should not make a difference if it is Ash Wednesday or not.

The most important thing about Valentine’s Day is showing the person you love how much they mean to you.