History of Valentine's Day

Today, I thought we'd do something a bit different. Do you know the true history behind Valentine's Day? If not, read on!

Valentine's day started off as the romantic day it is today, sort of. You see, Saint Valentine ministered to the people in 270 A.D. When Claudius II became Emperor, he banned marriage because he felt that it made men weak, and he wanted them strong for battle. Lovers were saddened by this, and St. Valentine seen the distress it was causing on the people. So, St. Valentine started performing secret wedding ceremonies. In time, he became known as the "friend of lovers." Soon, he was discovered by Claudius, who had him arrested.

While in prison, it is said the Valentine helped to heal the jailor's daughter, and began to fall in love with her. However, his discussion with Claudius the the attempt to convert him lead to the sentence of death upon Valentine. Awaiting his sentence, Valentine picked the heart shaped leaves from outside his prison window, and poked the message, "Love your Valentine" to his jailor's daughter, family and friends.

He was brutally executed, but because of Saint Valentine, we have this lovely day we celebrate every 14th day of Februay!