Flowers, chocolate, champagne, love notes and romance. We all know the trappings and most of us celebrate Valentine’s Day, but very few know that the holiday honors a young priest named Valentine who was put to death nearly 2,000 years ago. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers, so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine was outraged by this injustice and continued to perform marriages in secret for young lovers. In due course he was discovered and sentenced to death. While in prison he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. Before he was taken away to his execution, Valentine sent a letter to the girl and signed it, “From You Valentine”, an expression that we still use today. Eventually Valentine was grated sainthood and in 496AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as a day to honor Saint Valentine.
Dear Tim, you are the best present in this Valentine’s Day…
Wuau… You have marvelous arrangements!… I delight my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful and artistic job.