St. Valentine’s Day – History

Did you enjoy your Valentine’s Day? Ours was quiet. We’ve been married so long, almost 53 years, we know we don’t have to do all the Hallmark things to profess our love for one another. I’ve never been one to desire cards or chocolates or anything else for that matter on that day. And Hubby certainly isn’t such a person. We held hands and declared, I love you.

I didn’t know much about the origins of Valentine’s Day so I went searching for information about where the day came from and when it first started as we know it today.  A bit of search explained the who, what, when, where, and why of this day.

WHO WAS ST. VALENTINE?

Since I was reared in a protestant church, we didn’t have saints. Of course, one hears about them during a lifetime. And I think most of us have heard of a St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. I don’t know much about that either. Honestly, I don’t think I need to know about that.

What I found told me that Valentine was a Roman priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II who reigned during the years 268-270 AD. Yes, I use the old form of telling time periods. Legend has it that Claudius banned young soldiers from marrying because he felt an unmarried man would fight better.

If you were to ask me, I’d say a married man with a family had something to fight for. But what do I know? At that time, Valentine secretly joined many couples in Christian marriage. As a result, Valentine was arrested, thrown in prison, and then executed on February 14, 269 AD.

St. Valentine's Day - History @DDuPreeWilliams #Love #St. Valentine #ValentinesDay Share on X

LEGENDS AND ADDITIONS

There are other legends about Valentine, but this is the one with which you may have the most familiarity. But supposedly, Valentine sent a card to a jailer’s blind daughter and signed it, From your Valentine. Honestly, I don’t know how something like that has been kept alive for this long.

In the late fifth century, Pope Gelasius I (496 AD) declared February 14 a feast day in honor of St. Valentine. It wasn’t until Geoffrey Chaucer in the 1300s wrote about February 14 being the day birds chose their mates that the day had any romantic connotations. By the 1400s, love notes were being exchanged in France and England.

By the 1700s, handmade paper valentines were being exchanged. In the 1840s an American lady named Esther Howland popularized commercial Valentine cards. By the 1900s, candy, roses, and even some jewelry joined the tradition.

STILL OBSERVED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

It amazes me how things such as Valentines Day began so long ago and we’re still practicing some form of celebrating this day. That particular day began to take on less meaning over two decades ago when our first granddaughter was born near that date. Her parents were thrilled that she waited until past the legendary February 14th.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day if you do? Or are you more like we are—it’s just another day.

Go read what the Bible says about love in what is known as the Love Chapter, I Corinthians 13.

Blessings, y’all!

This became my “theme” song. I’ve sung this more than any other song I know, and I even sang it at both my parents’ funerals. I pray it blesses you. Writers, this should become the theme song for all of us. Be sure to listen to the words. Perfect! Y’all know I love David Phelps!