Fluffy teddy bears, chocolate hearts, roses by the dozen, priests, exile, and Roman soldiers… sounds like it is Valentine’s Day again!

The real story behind Valentine’s Day is all about forbidden love and a priest with a beautiful heart. Back in the third century when Claudius II was the emperor of Rome, he decided that single men made better soldiers so he banned all young lovers from the right of marriage. Valentine, a priest, did not believe this was just, so he went against the ruler and preformed marriage ceremonies for young lovers. When this was discovered he was sentenced to death.

Valentine’s Day was originally celebrated to commemorate the death/burial of the Priest that occurred in 270 AD.

Nowadays not many people know the real explanation behind this special day, the thoughts that usually comes to mind are the love and gifts that are exchanged on Valentine’s Day.

One of the most popular gifts on Valentine’s Day are in fact valentines or love letters. The first Valentine was written as a poem in 1415. Charles, the Duke of Orleans, wrote to his wife while he was imprisoned.
Also known as the “mother of valentines,” Esther A. Howland was the first to sell mass-produced valentines in America in 1840.

This has developed tremendously as time has passed, an estimated one billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year on February 14th! Valentine’s Day is now the second biggest card-sending holiday of the year, right after Christmas.

Valentine’s Day has evolved from celebrating a beloved priest who fought for forbidden love, to a materialistic holiday. Although, buying these gifts and spending time with your loved ones also celebrates love, it does not have the same intent as the original Valentine’s Day did.