Happy Valentine's Day

As you know, from earlier posts, this is a holiday that is dear to me.  The history of Valentine’s Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery and there are several versions of the St. Valentine story.

One legend is that Valentine was a priest in Rome during the third century. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

Another legend says that Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison it is believed that he fell in love with a young girl, who may have been the jailor’s daughter. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter which he signed ‘From your Valentine’.

Poor St. Valentine – none of the tales I found gave him a ‘good’ ending as prison and death were his reward for being a romantic. Thankfully his name lives on in all that is good – caring, love, romance.

This is a day for hugs and kisses, for cards, candy and flowers. This is one of my very most favorite holidays of the year!

"Love is the poetry of the senses". - Honore de Balzac