| The narrative of the Saint Valentine (for there have | | | | whose name is also unknown to the pages of |
| been many) who lent his name to the day we uphold | | | | history. It coming about from these daily visits with |
| on the 14th of February took place at the start of | | | | the intent of being cured that feelings of affection |
| the 3rd century in Rome during the reign of Claudius | | | | developed between this young lady and Saint |
| II. It was in his time that the Roman Empire was | | | | Valentine, who many suspected had fallen in love. |
| involved in many an un popular war which like all | | | | Such being the closeness of their relationship which |
| others required many an able man to fight, however | | | | though never turned physical saw them share the |
| these men were not easy to come by as volunteers | | | | most intimate aspects of their passion. |
| were rare. | | | | Eventually the day arrived on which Saint Valentine's |
| Many a reason were thought to be the culprit for | | | | sentence was to be carried out and perhaps this is |
| this lack of desire to join the military by society's | | | | where myth takes over our story. As it was Saint |
| younger males however it was eventually settled | | | | Valentine who on that day seeing that he would not |
| upon by Claudius II that marriage was at fault. Logic | | | | be allowed to see the young lady who had come to |
| being that when men marry they long to stay home | | | | be his friend one last time wrote a letter of farewell |
| and have families as opposed to wanting to go to | | | | to be handed to her. |
| war and perform their duty to the emperor so it was | | | | As for this letter, its exact contacts are neither |
| with this in mind that Claudius II instated a law | | | | known nor of consequence being our imagination can |
| banning all marriages. | | | | tell us its general concept based upon what we know |
| It was from the backdrop that was this injustice that | | | | of the relationship that existed between Saint |
| a priest who history would dub Saint Valentine would | | | | Valentine and this girl who till today remains unnamed. |
| emerge. It being he who by virtue of performing | | | | However though it can be stated that the precise |
| clandestine weddings came out in defiance of this law | | | | words used in this message bear no importance the |
| which many considered excessive and in defense of | | | | same would not hold as truth for the manner in |
| those who sought to marry the ones their feelings of | | | | which it was signed with the words "your Valentine". |
| romance lead them to. Saint Valentine would go on | | | | It is believed by those whose souls are infused with |
| to perform many a wedding ceremony for couples | | | | romance that upon receiving this letter this young |
| who were more then grateful at the service he had | | | | lady who up an till that moment in her life had been |
| performed which no other in Rome would dare to. | | | | blind became sighted. Such being the devotion in this |
| It happened however that in spite of all the care | | | | letter that allowed her to feel how ardently she was |
| taken by Saint Valentine in order not to be | | | | loved by this man who would go on to be known as |
| discovered that word of his deeds spread to Claudius | | | | the patron Saint of those who find themselves |
| II who upon hearing of this insolence toward his law | | | | swathed in love's harmony. |
| had Saint Valentine arrested and brought to trial for | | | | On the 14th of February, 229 A.D. (same day he |
| disobeying his decree. It was in the trial that ensued | | | | wrote his now famous letter) Saint Valentine himself |
| Saint Valentine's arrest that he was found guilty and | | | | went on to be clubbed to death after which he was |
| ordered to be put to death by clubbing. | | | | beheaded with his hands being severed from his |
| This perhaps is the point in our story where Saint | | | | body. The Romans doing on to him what they had |
| Valentine became a legend as it was in the time of | | | | done on to Cicero some centuries before. Executing |
| his imprisonment that he received several flowers | | | | Saint Valentine however proved a much simpler |
| and cards from well wishers and happy couples who | | | | matter then killing what he represented for this was |
| had been joined in matrimony thanks to this man | | | | what none could accomplish. This past statement |
| who now found himself in prison. It was while behind | | | | holding true as close to 1,800 are the years that |
| bars and awaiting his execution that one of the jailers | | | | have passed since his death and Saint Valentine is |
| who happened to have an unsighted daughter came | | | | not only remembered but his day is celebrated |
| to hear of Saint Valentine for he was also known as | | | | through out the world by couples who send each |
| a man who possessed knowledge in the field of | | | | other cards which they like he so many years ago |
| medicine. | | | | sign "your Valentine". Perhaps they follow this |
| It was precisely this Jailer (name not recorded by | | | | tradition along with several others not even knowing |
| history) who pleaded with Saint Valentine to do what | | | | from where of they originate or who Saint Valentine |
| ever was in his power so that his daughter might | | | | really was. For my part however I see not where |
| cease to be sightlessness. Saint Valentine naturally | | | | this matters for if those who uphold Valentine's day |
| being one whose temperament was generous did not | | | | kindle within the same feelings held by Saint Valentine |
| refuse, taking this girl in to his medical treatment | | | | for their beloved does this not suffice? |