The holiday—and the story of its patron saint—is shrouded in mystery containing both vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. Veiled by the mist of legends and whispers of martyrdom, thrice-named Valentine emerges.. In an era where Rome's iron fist, clenched by Emperor Claudius II, decreed the shackles of bachelorhood upon its soldiers, believing that love's bonds weakened warriors' resolve, Valentine, a priest—or perhaps, in another tale, a bishop—dared to defy. With the stealth of a forbidden romance, he performed secret marriages, stitching together hearts with vows that defied imperial edict.
These acts of rebellion, fueled by love, led Valentine to a tragic fate and were sealed by the emperor's wrath. The blade of martyrdom claimed him, but not before he became the architect of the very first valentine, a token of affection penned in the solitude of his cell, to a jailor's daughter who had captured his heart. "From your Valentine," he wrote, etching his legacy into the annals of time. Yet, it is the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, an ancient rite of fertility and purification that predates this tale of woe. On this day, priests would emerge from the sacred cave of Rome's founders, Romulus and Remus, to perform rituals of sacrifice and rebirth, their hands painting the city with symbols of fertility and cleansing, an ironic prelude to the Christian feast of love that would follow. These ancient customs, merging with the tale of Valentine's defiance, wove the tapestry of a day dedicated to love. By the Middle Ages, Valentine had ascended to the pantheon of veneration, celebrated across England and France, not for the blood he shed but for the heart he dared to follow. And so, from the murky depths of history and legend, Valentine's Day emerged—a testament to love's enduring power, a day born from defiance, martyrdom, and the poetic belief that love, in all its forms, is worth the ultimate sacrifice. This Valentine's Day, Tangentially Involved invites you to eschew the conventional tokens of affection—those banal bouquets and clichéd confections—in favor of attire that speaks to the soul's deepest yearnings. Dress yourself or your betrothed in a narrative as captivating as any Gothic romance, with apparel that whispers secrets of love's labyrinthine journey. For what is love, if not the ultimate adventure? A quest fraught with peril, yet irresistible. And so, as you navigate the tempestuous seas of affection, let Tangentially Involved be your compass, guiding you through the fog with garments that tell a tale of love, loss, and the inevitable tangential connection that binds us all. Remember, dear reader, as you celebrate this Valentine's Day, that the most profound declarations of love are often those that are tangentially expressed, in the subtlest of gestures and the softest of fabrics. Choose wisely, for in the world of love and apparel, it is not merely the thought that counts, but the manner in which it is conveyed. Happy Valentine's Day, from all of us at Tangentially Involved. May your day be filled with mystery, adventure, and a touch of the unexpected. Yours truly, Emerson
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Our Unusual Inception
A rather unexpected development has occurred. Our T-shirt company, has emerged. Our founding was marked not by fanfare or trumpets, but by a series of coincidences and tangential connections, much like the patterns on a kaleidoscope, ever-shifting and intriguing. A Philosophy of Uncommon Design At Tangentially Involved, our T-shirts are more than mere fabric and thread. They are enigmatic narratives draped in mystery and style. Each design is born from a labyrinth of ideas, an intricate map, if you will, leading to various intellectual musings - from art to philosophy, from the whimsical to the profound. The Initial Collection - A Puzzle Wrapped in Cotton Our inaugural collection, aptly named "Expressions of the Mind," presents itself as a puzzle for the intellect and a feast for the eyes. Each T-shirt is not just a garment but a conundrum, a piece of art that whispers tales and asks questions that may or may not have answers. Sustainability - A Commitment Wrapped in Responsibility In a world often plagued by careless consumption, we at Tangentially Involved have pledged to tread lightly. Our T-shirts, crafted with the utmost care, speak of our commitment to the planet. Organic materials and eco-friendly practices are our allies in this noble endeavor. An Invitation to the Curious To those brave souls who choose to join our peculiar family, we extend a warm, albeit slightly enigmatic, welcome. Follow our tales on [social media platforms], where we share not just fashion, but stories, riddles, and the occasional secret. What Lies Ahead As is often the case with stories of a curious nature, our journey has only just begun. The road ahead is shrouded in mystery and potential, with designs and ideas as unpredictable as the plot of a good book. With cautious optimism and a penchant for the unconventional, we invite you to be part of this peculiar adventure. Who knows what you might discover? With regards (and a hint of mystery), Emerson, Tangentially Involved |
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