From Your Valentine

History of Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day, the sale of things romantic, sweet and pretty brings in 25% of commercial success in the U.S. However, the history of Valentine's Day comes from the legendary St. Valentine's, a cleric who died over one thousand years ago.

The version of the story that I'll share with you here started with Roman Emperor Claudius. Rome was extremely large at the time and good administrators for the far flung parts of the Roman Empire were hard to find. There was a great need for good administrators internally as well. Claudius made an executive decision and decided to ban marriage amongst his soldiers because he was promoting from within the ranks and felt that single men would be more dedicated to their jobs than married men.

There was a cleric named Valentine who helped out the young people by marrying them in secret. However, the word eventually got to Claudius who brought him to court and imprisoned him. The jailer had heard that Valentine had healing powers and wanted him to heal his blind daughter which he did before Claudius put him to death. There is a rumour that Valentine fell in love with the young woman and on the eve of his death sent her a written note which he signed "From your Valentine." He was reputedly put to death on February 14 270 AD. 

Well, young Romans are said to have honored Valentine by sending written love messages to their girlfriends thereafter on February 14.

Over the intervening centuries, lovers started to send messages to their loved ones signed in a similar fashion in England and France in increasing numbers. The custom leaped across the ocean to the American Colonies and became popularized by Esther A. Howlanda Mount Holyoke, a native of Massachusetts. She made Valentine messages out of lace and other fancy cloth. The tradition really caught on here from her contribution and she became known as the mother of Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day- Wednesday, February 14,2012

Valentine's Day is next week on Wednesday, February 14th. When you buy your love a card or share a romantic dinner for two at the local diner, take a moment to toast Claudius, Valentine and Mary for their part in your sweet moment.

No More Solo Valentine's Day

And if you find yourself longing for a loved one to toast, just give me a call to set up a no cost "Dating Skills Analysis Session." It'll take us thirty minutes and a solo Valentine's Day will be part of your ancient history. I'm at 650-877-2563.