Over a few centuries there have been several different stories about how Valentine’s day came to be. Here is just one of them.

I hope that you have a truly great day spent with those you love.                                                                  Happy Heart! Happy Day!
Be sure to eat lots of chocolate!

We are told that Valentine was a kind hearted physician who practiced medicine out of a small room in his home. He always made a special effort to offer his patients medicines that taste good. He would take care to mix bitter tasting medicines with wine, milk or honey to make them more palatable for the sick or injured. He cleansed wounds with wine vinegar and would use freshly ground herbs and roots to relieve pain.  Religion was a significant part of his life and he would lead others to prayer. He often prayed for the health of his patients.

One day a jailer for Roman Claudius knocked on Valentine’s door, clutching his blind daughter, Asteruis, in his arms. He had learned of Valentine’s medical and spiritual healing abilities and appealed to Valentine to treat his daughter’s blindness.

Valentine knew that her condition would be difficult to treat, but he told the man that he would do his best. The little girl was examined, given an ointment for her eyes and a series of re-visits were scheduled.

Several weeks passed and the girl’s sight was not restored. One day, Valentine received a visit from Roman soldiers who arrested him, destroyed his medicines and admonished him for his religious views. Knowing his execution was imminent, Valentine asked the jailer for paper, pen and ink. He jotted a farewell note and handed it to the jailer to give to his blind daughter. Valentine was executed later that day, on 14 February.

When the jailer returned home, his little daughter opened the note and discovered a flower inside. The message said,” From your Valentine.”. As the little girl held the flower in the palm of her hand, she saw brilliant colors for the first time in her life! her eyesight was completely restored!

It appears that all of the Valentine stories eventually convoluted into one. Who knows which is correct?

In 496AD, Pope Gelasius declared the day in honor of St. Valentine. Through the centuries, the holiday became a time to exchange love messages. St. Valentine became the patron Saint of Lovers.