There are some variations, but the fact is that it was almost always ‘Love at first sight’; it was the guy who had to court the girl and her role was to deny as many times as possible before assenting.
Another beautiful Mexican tradition that has enriched Valentine’s Day of Love and Friendship are serenades. It’s a tradition that has been somewhat lost over time. It consists in the groom hiring a trio of romantic music, a mariachi group, Huapango singers or troubadours. Then, at night he goes to his loved one’s house and sings at his girlfriend’s window. He dedicates songs to her, he implores her to come out and finally, they both enjoy listening to love songs along sending each other kisses and declarations of love.
Serenades were frequently portrayed in Mexican films during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. In some cases, the man tried to woo a woman who despised him, and yet, he nevertheless offered her a serenade. Then the girl, fed up, would throw a bucket of water on him…in the end the boy always got the girl he loved!
So, celebrating Valentine’s Day (also known as ‘the Day of Love and Friendship’, in Mexico) is a Mexican tradition and we’ve learned to celebrate it our own way, to give it our personal touch and add to our rich Mexican culture.
It’s true, as critics of the date say: ‘Every day can be Valentine’s Day’, but there’s nothing like going out on February 14thand seeing the streets dressed with cupids and hearts, flowers and balloons, friends, couples and families celebrating the blessing of loving and being loved, the Mexican way.