October 15, 2021
For over a century, Sweetest Day has been a cherished tradition in the Midwest, parts of the Northeast, and in Florida. Celebrated on the third Saturday of October, this day is a unique cultural phenomenon that brings people together to share love and kindness. The first Sweetest Day was on October 10, 1921, in Cleveland, when a committee of twelve major candy makers distributed over 20,000 boxes of candy to newsboys, orphans, old folks, and the poor in Cleveland.
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Over the years, there were several attempts to popularize "Sweetest Day" in New York City as well as across the country, but it was only marginally successful. On September 25, 1937, The New York Times reported that the National Confectioners Association was pushing for Sweetest Day to be nationally accepted, along with Mother's Day, Father's Day, and St. Valentine's Day. Today, however, it's fascinating to note that Detroit and Cleveland have emerged as the largest Sweetest Day cities, embracing the tradition with fervor.
Sweetest Day, falling almost exactly between Father’s Day and Christmas, has an intriguing history. Initially, it was a day for women to give their boyfriends or husbands small gifts to commemorate their love, much like Valentine's Day. However, it has since evolved into a day of sweet gestures, with candy being the most popular gift choice.
Is the day about being good or recognizing good? Sweetest Day can be observed by sharing a kind gesture, either with a card or a small gift, to someone you appreciate. For some, especially in the Midwest, this day has evolved into a Random Acts of Kindness Day. Intriguingly, areas like Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio have combined the meaning of the day with good, old-fashioned midwestern values like honesty and caring for your neighbors.
Sweetest day started as a way to say “thank you” to the special people in your life, and as a way to give something nice to people who had little or nothing. It was a day of good deeds.
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When I perform weddings, I often read a section in the letter to the Romans where Paul speaks about Love. The most famous love passage is 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is Patient, Love is Kind…” While what Paul writes in Romans 12 is not as well known, it is just as compelling. He writes:
“Your love must be real. Hate what is evil and hold on to what is good. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart. Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes and pray at all times. Share with God’s people who need help. Bring strangers in need into your homes.”
Real love is hating evil and doing good. It goes well beyond romantic attraction. Paul’s definition of sweet love involves a lot of action and doing. It is a verb of action, not an adjective of a feeling or emotion. You are to actively love people like they are your family and honor them the way you want to be honored. And true love is seen in sharing with those who are in need. Be generous and hospitable. Later in the chapter, Paul continues by quoting an old proverb and putting it very bluntly:
“But you should do this: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.”
Doing anything like that on Sweetest Day-- or any day-- is something we will never regret or forget. Eat something sweet, honor the men in your life, and do something good for those around you. Remember, love is not just a feeling, it's an action. Let's actively practice love in our daily lives. Happy Sweetest Day.
Main Image: Photo by Budgeron Bach from Pexels