Ohh Sweet Valentine's Day. In the spirit of such an important holiday, I'd like to shed some light on the origins of St. Valentine. According to history.com, "One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death."
Nice try.
Valentine was actually a con-artist who lured women to his bed by claiming to be a priest whose dying wish was to learn "matters of the flesh." It worked. He was very popular with the lady-folk. So popular and suave, that his prowess began to have quite a bit of notoriety. He reached a point that he no longer needed to lie to get the attentions of the fairer sex. The rumor was that Valentine was saintly in his nightly activities. Hence, St. Valentine.
Valentine's day cards come from the thank you notes that Valentine sent to his conquests. He would sign each letter with "From your Valentine" a phrase that remains popular. Although he was a sleaze, he was thoughtful, and points must be given for good manners.
Why February 14th? It's the day that Valentine fell in love and finished his bed-hopping ways. It didn't last long, but for the few short months that Valentine and his lover Cupidette where together, it was magic.
Or so I've heard.
