On February 14, 269, a priest of Rome named Valentine was beheaded for being a Christian. A church was built in his honor about 80 years later. That's all we know for sure about him, but legends grew up around his feast.
One story is that the emperor had forbidden young men to marry because he thought that single men made better soldiers.
Valentine disobeyed and secretly married young couples. He was killed for his disobedience.
Another story has it that he was friends with many children. When he was thrown into prison for his faith in Jesus, the children missed him. They wrote notes to their "Dear Valentine" and slipped them through the bars of his cell window.
By the 15th century in England there are clear references to choosing someone as your valentine.
The feast provides a good opportunity to say, "I love you" to relatives and friends.
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