Love from your Valentine

have had the same valentine for nearly 15 years. We have been through the thick and the thin, the good and the bad, the difficult and the easy, the ugly and the pretty. And through all of these times, the highs and the lows, she has remained my valentine.

t is said that St. Valentine defied Claudius, the emperor of Rome. Caludius was forbidding any new marriages to add to the size of the Roman army (married men could not be enlisted). Valentine did not agree with this law forbidding these new marriages and decided to perform marriage ceremonies in secret. When he was found out, he was immediately imprisoned. During his imprisonment, he was befriended by the jailor's daughter, and the two of them began to develop a deep love for each other.

nfortunately Valentine was eventualy martyred for his faith. He was martyred February 14, 270 ad. And on the day that he was martyred he sent a note to the jailor's daughter that said, "Love, from your Valentine." Hence the supposed beginning of the tradition.

is the message. It is just one word, but it is a powerful word. And attached to that message is the idea of ownership. He doesn't just say, "from Valentine" he says, "from your Valentine." I belong to you, and you alone. I am yours.

I don't know how true the legend of St. Valentine is... But I know for me, the message stays the same.

Love from your Matt.