Message from the President

A lot of love will be shared this week. In fact, 150 million cards and more than 220 million roses will exchange hands. About six million Americans expect a marriage proposal on February 14.

Although origins of Valentine’s Day are not entirely clear, most agree that the holiday started on February 15 as a Pagan celebration of fertility. Pope Gelaius recast the holiday by changing the date and the name to the Feast of Saint Valentine—meant to honor one (or more priests named Saint Valentine) who were martyred on February 14. 

There have been various legends about what Saint Valentine did to spark the outrage of Claudius II, the Roman emperor, including secretly marrying off soldiers who were forbidden to marry, or refusing to relinquish his Christian faith.

It was not until the 14^th century that the holiday was associated with romantic love, and not until the mid-1800s that it was connected to giving a card (or flowers, candy, or jewelry) to that special someone.

So although it remains as a popular holiday, it is a good reminder to always express how we feel about those we love.

How we treat each other every day is far more important that what we give or get on a holiday. And with consistency and compassion, the Lakeland team is showing more and more of our heart and caring love to those we serve in our communities.

Last week, I met with an associate and his spouse. They had a medication-related complication that resulted in hospitalization. We discussed their concern and are working to respond to it.

Despite the difficult situation they were in, they were quick to share how the Lakeland team made them feel. They said that we made them feel “loved and respected.” Everyone, on every shift, made them feel that way.

Isn’t that the way we all hope to be treated?

But they had the most to say about Zach.

They described him as the best of the best, making everyone feel extra special.

I asked the couple if they had nominated Zach for a heart. They were almost frustrated when they responded, “But he already has the 'Big Heart' and he probably gets nominated almost every day.”

Although your badge backer can’t accurately describe how big your heart is, I’d like to say thank you to Zach for demonstrating to those around you what caring love is all about.

If you have a story about how a team member has been there for you and shown you what caring love is all about, please email marketing@lakelandhealth.org.