February, the month of teddy bears, candied hearts, and love letters, has officially begun. Every year, like clockwork, Feb. 14 rolls around, filling the air with rose-scented candles and chocolate-filled boxes. Many people are aware of Valentine’s Day, but have you heard the history behind it?

There are many stories commemorating the history of Valentine’s Day, but the most common one centers on a saint who lived in Rome during the third century, around the mid-200s AD: St. Valentine.

At a time when Rome was a prominent and powerful empire, Emperor Claudius II, a successful conqueror and ruler of Rome, came to the conclusion that single men were better suited for battle than those with wives and families. With this belief, he issued a decree banning marriage for young men.

Upon hearing of this unjust proclamation, St. Valentine took action. He continued to marry couples in secret, despite Claudius’ strict orders. This went on for several years before word of the priest’s blatant defiance eventually reached the emperor. The emperor was not pleased to hear this news and had Valentine sentenced to death. 

This was just one Legend of Valentine’s Day; another legend has it that Saint Valentine was the first one to give a “valentine” letter. 

The legend says that while Valentine was thrown into imprisonment by Emperor Claudius for marrying couples against his will, he ended up falling in love. While awaiting his imminent execution, Valentine “…fell in love with a young girl—possibly his jailor’s daughter—who visited him during his confinement” (history.com).

It was said that before he passed, he wrote the girl a letter saying, “From your Valentine,” Does that sound familiar? Yes, even from centuries ago, we still find ourselves using the same words to our loved ones as a certain saint did many years ago.

So next time you write a meaningful letter to someone you care about for Valentine’s Day, remember the significance of those exact words and how love persevered across the ages.

                                              Sources 

• https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-valentines-day

• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claudius-II-Gothicus

• https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159