I have always assumed that Valentine’s Day was just some strange holiday invented by companies to get us to buy cards, pink stuffed bears, and chocolate. But being the strangely curious woman that I am I had to look up the history of Valentine’s Day and I was shocked to find that there really IS some history behind this holiday. Although I still think the card companies and makers of bears and chocolate are really smart for cashing in on this day.

According to History.com, February has been considered a romantic month for a very long time. It’s believed to have ties to ancient roman tradition and possibly even some Christian history as well. The Catholic church has three different saints by the name of Valentine or Valentinus which were all martyred. History.com says the first legend involves a priest that served during the third century in Rome. Emperor Claudius II had the genius idea that married men didn’t make as good of soldiers as the single men did so he made a law that young men could not get married. The priest went against Emperor Claudius and continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young men in spite of the law. When the Emperor learned of Valentine’s disobedience he ordered him to be put to death.

This isn’t the only story of Valentine though. Other stories say that Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape Roman prisons where prisoners were tortured and beaten. Other stories suggest that while he was in prison, Valentine fell in love with the prison guard’s daughter and before his death sent her a letter ending with “From your Valentine.” Some even believe we celebrate Valentine’s Day in remembrance of Valentine’s death. Apparently nobody really knows EXACTLY why we celebrate Valentine’s Day but they all believe Valentine the priest to be a man that was loving and obviously a romantic. I’m not quite sure why that makes him a saint but if people believe that then that’s fine. I’m not Catholic so I don’t quite know what they use to qualify someone as a saint but these stories are certainly interesting regardless, especially if you’re like me and didn’t know that Valentine’s Day actually had a history behind it.

I personally celebrate Valentine’s Day as a day to just show my children and my husband that I love them. This morning I made my family heart-shaped pancakes with turkey bacon and gave the kids their little Valentine’s Day presents (that did NOT consist of pink teddy bears) and I made it a point to tell each of them that I loved them and gave them a hug. I think Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to just express your love for the special people in your life.

I hope you are all having an amazing Valentine’s Day!

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