Valentines Day At My Age 2/14/2023

 Good Morning,

This morning began a hour or so ago with prayer and a hot mug of Door County Jingle Bell Java. This is the last of my Christmas Coffee for now. It is time to write.

1 Peter 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other. 

Today we celebrate Valentines Day and I thought we would just learn a little something today. 

The day is named, of course, for St, Valentine. But why? Who is this mysterious Valentine?

According to the New York Times, it's possible that the holiday is based on a combination of two men. There were, after all, two Valentines executed on February 14 (albeit in different years) By Roman Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century. A.C.E. reports NPR . It is believed that the Catholic Church may have established St. Valentine's to honor these men, who they believed to be martyrs.

It's possible that one of these men, Saint Valentine of Terni, had been secretly officiating weddings for Roman soldiers, against the emperor's wishes, making him, in some eyes, a proponent of love.

Another story involves the practice of writing love letters to your valentine. It is said that St. Valentine wrote the first "valentine" greeting to a young girl he tutored and fell in love with while he was imprisoned for the crimes outlined above.  According to the History Channel, before his death, he wrote her a letter, signed, "From Your Valentine", which remains a commonly used phrase to this day.

But these romantic anecdotes are only legends. So little historical information is known about the martyrs names St. Valentine that in 1969 the Roman Catholic Church removed the feast day from it's calendar, although St. Valentine is still recognized as a saint.  Credit Country Living.

No matter what the day is or isn't, I have always known it as a day to express your love for your sweetheart or friends. My wife woke up to a card, some carnations, and a box of sugar free chocolates. Her smile was priceless and I did not break the bank on my expression of love. Some folks will dine out today or give lavish gifts. We have always kept this day simple and it works for us. As my wife says "Every day Is Valentines Day"  Take time daily to express your love to others verbally, with a note, or a small token of special meaning. 

Have a great day!!! 

Marty