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Dating Triumphs and Tragedies
by Nicole Roberge

May Day! May Day!
Calling All Daters!

The month of May was come,
when every lusty heart beginneth to blossom,
and to bring forth fruit; for like as herbs and trees bring
forth fruit and flourish in May, in likewise every lusty heart that
is in any manner a lover, springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds.
For it giveth unto all lovers courage, that lusty month of May.
Sir Thomas Malory, 1485

May Day is an ancient tradition and each country has held several different customs in its honor.  First, it was a very religious holiday celebrating the Virgin Mary, but became a more secular holiday in celebration of the season.  Crowning a “May Queen” and dancing around a Maypole with ribbons are common traditions of this holiday.  But there are certain love-related themes that even you can follow now to mix tradition with romance.

One kind gesture on May Day was to place baskets filled with flowers at someone’s backdoor, and then run away.  Something like a secret admirer, perhaps?  However, if you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.  This is quite the sweet offering if any of you are willing to try something new this May, and I have a feeling some of you not-so-shy folks might dawdle after you leave your basket of flowers.

For those women who are dating a few men and having a hard time deciding which one she is interested in, then here might be a tradition for you to follow.  On May Day in England, young men and women would participate in “lifting.”  A girl would be on a chair with flowers and a group of men would lift her in the air.  The next day, May 2, is when she would choose her suitor.  I’m not quite sure how she decides—maybe the one with the steadiest hands?

And for the bold men: you would be best to do as the Germans did.  Boys would secretly plant a May Tree for the girl they were in love with.  The catch?  It was in front of her window.  Now there’s a way to get her attention.  She goes to bed one night, and in the morning wakes up to see a tree in front of her window.   If you don’t want it to be a secret, I suppose you could be sitting in the tree.

Since earlier times, they have invented every sort of face wash and makeup you could think of, but apparently, it all comes down to nature.  Women believed that the power of beauty was in the May Day dew, so therefore, washing one’s face in it could restore beauty.  It was also believed that by doing this, it would help them find the man she would marry.

So as you can see, there are many good things to come in the month of May, though you might have to go plant a tree or bring some flowers to the one you admire.  Whatever it is you do the catch the attention of that special someone, I say you cut out the “secret” part, and celebrate spring together.

Dating Triumphs and Tragedies is published every Sunday by Online Dating Magazine columnist Nicole Roberge. She can be reached at NicoleMRoberge@hotmail.com.