The most awaited day every year is Valentine's Day or February 14th! Why? It is on this day that one individual expresses his/her love and esteem for another. The gestures used to express such feelings are candy, cards and flowers. Schoolchildren, adults and teenagers--all are eager for this day to come. Youngsters exchange cards which depict symbols of the heart and cupid. Though people remember this day as just being associated with romance, there is a story behind this, and it is associated with a figure called St. Valentine.

Rome was ruled over by Emperor Claudius II during the third century. There was a Catholic priest in his empire named Valentine. The trouble began when the Emperor found that no one wanted to join his army. The men did not like the idea of being away from home for long stretches of time. And this inevitably was the case since Claudius II always sent his army to distant places after recruitment.

Frustrated and angry, the Emperor Claudius concluded that unmarried men would have nothing to lose and therefore be more willing recruits. His solution to the problem was to decree that marriage for young men be outlawed. This did not sit well with the young men, and those in love found the humble priest Valentine more than willing to perform the marriage sacraments for the ardent lovers in secret. Unfortunately, Valentine was found out and arrested by Claudius. He was thrown into prison and sentenced to death.

One of the prison guards felt sympathy for this priest. To help him while away his time, he permitted his young daughter to pay visits to Valentine. The two became close friends. Before he was taken to the gallows, Valentine gave his friend a letter with the signature, "From your Valentine". And that has become the launch pad for the modern Valentine's Day!

Valentine died in 270 A.D. and was declared a Saint by the Vatican. Pope Gelasius who was in charge in the year 496 A.D., stated that February 14th would henceforth be considered as St. Valentine's Day. People in love could give free rein to feelings of love on this day! Thus, the material world became inferior to the powerful spiritual world!

Over time, at least by the Middle Ages, this day became very famous and Europe celebrated it with gusto! In 1415, when the Duke of Orleans (Charles) was housed in the Tower of London as a punishment, he dispatched a card to his wife on February 14th. This practice continues on every Valentine's Day all over the world.

Some men offered clothing to the women of their choice. If the women accepted these gifts, there would be many couples engaged to be married! Names of girls would be kept in bowls and lots drawn. The names would be pinned on the sleeves of the boys. In this way, they publicly declared their love! It was like wearing one's heart on one's sleeves! Others thought of different gifts and practices by which they could impress their loved ones. In Wales, hearts and keys were carved on spoons. The keys gave a message to the recipient that this particular heart could be unlocked.

Whatever it may be, St. Valentine's Day is here to stay. And St. Valentine has been responsible for creating the most "loved" unofficial holiday in the world! The customs of yesteryears do not survive today; they have been replaced by candy, cards and flowers. Some enjoy candlelight dinners. Whatever, love has survived the stresses of time!