Ever since we were in pre-kindergarten, Valentine's Day has been marked by cards, flowers, chocolate, and—depending on your luck—that One Special Person. But do you know why Valentine's Day is the way it is? Like 'em or loathe 'em, here we explain the holiday's most popular traditions.
As an engaged woman, I was both surprised and appalled when I read an article on The Stir stating that 50% of Americans believe it should be legally required for a woman to take her husband's last name. My first thought was: Who took this survey anyway, a bunch of people from Middle-of-Nowhere America (no offense, really) who've been completely cut off from the modern world?
Some women prefer Jewish guys. We have to say, with the abundance of good-looking Jewish celebs out there — like James Franco, Jake Gyllenhaal and Adrien Brody — how can you disagree? So in honor of Chanukah, here are some reasons to date an M.O.T. (that's a Member Of The Tribe, for the uninitiated).
This year will be the first time you're celebrating the holidays with the kids... alone. How are you going to handle all of the responsibility without your children seeing you break a sweat (or shed a tear)? Being A Single Parent Has Made Me A Better (Future) Husband In this video, Therapist and YourTango Expert, Elisabeth LaMotte offers her tips for keeping the family spirit alive. Learn why keeping old (and starting new) traditions will have you and the kids feeling merry and bright through the New Year.
Whether you've been dating for weeks or years, the first holiday meal you spend at his family's house is unnerving. Hopefully, you've met his family before this big day, though maybe you haven't. Regardless, the premiere Thanksgiving at his parents' house is an entirely new adventure — who knows what you're walking into?
![Emails to My Kids [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/images/computer20love.jpg "Emails to My Kids [EXPERT]")
It started with a small idea. A client sat down in my office, sharing her concerns for how she could impart her valuable life experiences to her child; and better, how could she do it in a way that would preserve her voice, in the chance that she didn’t live long enough to share it day by day and year after year. While she happened to be an older mother, she did, for all intents and purposes, have plenty of time to educate her daughter and share her wealth of knowledge.
If you have a close, communicative, tell-each-other-everything relationship with your mom, that's great (and rare). But, like it or not, your mom does come from a different generation.
It's an age-old tradition that has been followed, seemingly without too much protest, for years. For most, making the switch to their husband's last name is exciting; a sort of "final seal" on the lifelong vows you've made. But many women are challenging this tradition nowadays, especially those who are less religious and more educated.
![Candy & Costumes: The True Meaning Of Halloween? [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/spooky.jpg "Candy & Costumes: The True Meaning Of Halloween? [EXPERT]")
Halloween comes from an old Pagan tradition called Samhain, meaning "end of summer," and marks the final harvest for the year. Generally celebrated on October 31, referred to as "spirit-night," there was believed to be a magical interval of time and space temporarily suspended, and the veil between the worlds lifted. It is a time to communicate with ancestors and departed loved ones as they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. They honor the Dark Mother and Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.
It seems clear that we are in a time where gender roles and expectations are rapidly being redefined and altered. Although these new definitions are, no doubt, giving both genders some more freedom, are they simultaneously making a handful of people a bit more uncomfortable as well? Madame Noire took to the streets to try and discover just this. They interviewed several New Yorkers to see how they'd feel if a husband, instead, decided to take a woman's last name. You won't believe some of their responses.
When did lace ankle socks, white patent leather mary jane’s, a new pastel spring dress, kid gloves, and a new Easter bonnet that complementarily matched your grandma, mom, and sister fade out of style? When did waking up early before the birds as your family got ready for Easter sunrise service go out of style? Why do we wistfully look to kids to bring back the nostalgia of our own childhood, and what each new spring brings to a sleeping world: a chance to begin anew? When is the last time you wore an Easter bonnet?
