Valentine's Day

I was in awe yesterday as I walked past the Valentine's aisle at our local Wal-Mart. Shoppers were packed into the narrow aisle tossing foil-wrapped goodies into their carts alongside giant stuffed bears holding silk roses and banners that said "I Love You Beary Much." The commercialization of holidays like this never ceases to amaze me. What started out as a simple love-filled letter written from prison (see story below) has turned in to one of the biggest money-making holidays of the year.

Call me a hopeless romantic, but I would still prefer to have a handwritten note left on my pillow than a dozen roses. I do love fresh flowers...but they soon wither away while I can hold onto other gestures forever. Call my voice mail and sing me a song...write a note and tuck it into my make-up bag (Keith, are you reading this?) :) or even mail me a card since receiving a piece of personal mail makes my day!

Valentine's Day is about celebrating love, friendship and special relationships. So I guess that whether the gesture is a bouquet of flowers, a 1-lb Hershey's Kiss or simply a note taped to the bathroom mirror, it's nice to be reminded that somebody loves you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

~ Katie

The History of Valentine's Day (from the History Channel)

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

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. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

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 his 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 legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.