happy valentine's day!

ok, so those who know me well, know that i joke around about valentine's day... and in the past i've worn all black to symbolize my mourning on this day... but i haven't been able to do that the past couple of years because i truly LOVE this day! how can i deliberately mourn on a day that God has given to me?! He has blessed me with so MUCH that i cannot even pretend to dislike this day. so, when i say HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY... i really mean it!

if you're still not convinced, maybe you'll look at this day differently once you read the origin of valentine's day... it certainly changed my perspective.

Who was the real Saint Valentine? St. Valentine was a Roman Christian who, according to history, was martyred during the persecution of Christians in the third century by Emperor Claudius II. The only thing certain about the day we remember as St. Valentine's day is that it commemorates a martyrdom. Claudius II declared all Christians illegal citizens. By his definition, they were guilty of treason because Roman citizens were required by law to worship the Emperor by declaring publicly, "Caesar is Lord!" Of course, no Christian would do this.

St. Valentine was put in prison because of his beliefs, but continued to minister in prison by witnessing to his prison guards. One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. When the Emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he sentenced Valentine to death. Just before being led out to his execution, the young Christian wrote a note to the jailor's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." The first valentine was really a Christian witness. Growing out of this story we participate in a custom of sending cards to people we love.

It wasn't until the 1300's when Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem called, "Parliament of Fouls" that linked Valentine's day with lovers.

Isn't that COOL??!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!