And Now, A History Lesson

Ah yes, that glorious day is here again. Valentine’s day. You either love it or you hate it. For me, it just depends on the year. This year, not gonna lie I’m pretty sad and I pretty much hate our dear old Valentine’s day, or as my glorious mother calls it VD ;)

But I’m not going to write about that today. No no. I’ve written enough about that. We all know what’s happening. This post about Valentine’s day is not a “woe is me” post. Instead, a history lesson.

There are three different Saint Valentines or Valentinus recognized by the Catholic Church. Every single one of them was martyred. Along with three different Saint Valentines there are several different legends as to what went on before they were put to death.

One such legend states that Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in Rome. At the time, Claudius II was convinced that soldiers would perform better and be better soldiers if they were not attached to wives and families. Thus, he outlawed marriage for all young men. Valentine, seeing and understanding this injustice decided to defy Emperor Claudius II and continued to perform marriages in secret. Valentine was discovered and Claudius II was put to death.

Another suggests that Saint Valentine was killed for helping young prisoners escape from being beaten and tortured. While another says that the first “valentine” was sent while Saint Valentine was imprisoned and sent a letter to a young girl whom he was in love with that had visited him while he was in prison

While what actually happened is a mystery, he is known in all stories for being sympathetic, heroic, and most importantly romantic.

At the end of the 5^th century, the Pope would name February 14 for Saint Valentine. However, it did not become associated with love and romance until much later in the Middle Ages when written letters and poems began to appear.

Today, it’s mush and goosh and Hallmark’s dream. And the bane of every single person’s existence. But I feel like Valentine’s day does not have to be just about romantic love. Valentine’s day can be a day to show whoever you love in your life that you love them. I love my family and my friends and I hope that they know that. I love that they’re there for me through thick and thin. So I don’t have a romantic love in my life right now. So what?! I still have so much love in my life.

So happy Valentine’s Day to all!

Until next time!