Where did Valentines Originate From?

Where did Valentines Originate From?

Where did Valentine originate from…
Oh, what a thorn it was, bugging Claudius II ….. a popular belief says that around third or fourth century there was a Roman Emperor, Claudius II, who had grown powerful. With his power, his empire had also grown large and feeling the pressure from surrounding enemies, he needed a bigger army to defend his borders. Knowing that married soldiers would not make good soldiers since they were attached to their wives and families, he knew that younger, unmarried men were ideal to defend his empire. So, the emperor passed a law banning marriage for young men.
Upon hearing this new law, a priest named Valentinos decided to meet with young couples at a secret location join them in matrimony. Although, this would be short-lived when he was discovered by Claudius II and sent to jail. Some sources say that Valentine had a chance to redeem himself when the emperor tried to convert him to Roman Gods and, after refusing such an offer, Valentine tried to convert the emperor.
It is also believed that while Valentine was in jail he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter who was believed to have been blind and healed by Valentine. And on the day of his execution he wrote a letter to his beloved and signed it “From Your Valentine.” This phrase is still in use today.
Valentine became martyred because he did not renounce his religion.  The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines”) Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. YAY ♥♥….Long live HANDMADE !!!!
Written by My European Touch