We have time and again heard the name Saint Valentine being uttered before us in the season of love…..why is this month associated with love and romance????? How Valentine's Day come into practice?? As the history behind Valentines Day is obscure, and further clouded by various fanciful legends, let me share you one of the fable behind this tradition……….

Valentine's Day started in the time of Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, the lives of young boys and girls were strictly separated under the rule of Emperor Claudius II. The Emperor Claudius II was having a difficult time in getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that roman men didn't want to leave their loves or families. As a result Claudius canceled all marriages and engagements in Rome. The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, for this kind deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14^th of February, about the year 270. Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers and spiritual overseer of an annual festival. The date was marked by young Romans offering women they admired and wished to court, handwritten greetings of affection on February 14. The greeting cards acquired St. Valentine's name.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'Valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl who may have been the jailor's daughter who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From Your Valentine', an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legend is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.