Valentine's
When you think of Valentine's day do you think of cheesy hearts and candy? The cliche stuffed animals, and roses are red stuff? Or are you the type of person who remembers the reason behind it? While it's true there really was a man named Valentine and he later became a saint after being martyred, we don't know the entirety of the story. There are many legends however. The one that always struck me was this, and yes, in true style of me you are about to get a bedtime story.
Once upon a time, many a year ago, there was a man by the name of Valentine. During the time which Valentine lived there was a king who's name was Claudius II. Now Claudius was a man of war and needed soldiers for his army. After several campaigns his men began to grumble about wanting to go home to their families. To encourage his men to war rather than be with their families, he banned marriage completely. However, Valentine, who was a priest, believed wholeheartedly that the value of family is above that of any other except God. So he continued to marry couples in secret. When Claudius found out, he demanded the arrest and imprisonment of Valentine. The prison guard where Valentine was sent had a blind daughter who knew the passageways of the prison very well. She was in charge of bringing the prisoners their food. Valentine and the daughter would spend time together as she would bring him books, and flowers for him to read and smell. He read the books to her, and explained the colors and taught her the gentleness of the flowers scent and feel. Eventually they fell in love. All the while, Claudius continued to demand that Valentine recant from his faith and from the belief that marriage is godly. Valentine refused. Claudius grew so angry at Valentine he sentenced him to death by beheading the next day at dawn. When the daughter heard the news she begged Valentine to recant so he could live and be with her. He told her to have faith and she would see that all would be well. Then he hugged her and she stumbled back. Suddenly things in her vision began to appear. Dimly at first, and then with more clarity until she could see the face of Valentine for the very first, and last, time. Confused she ran straight to her father. Valentine wrote her a letter that poured out his love for her and left it in the cell signed simply "Your Valentine". By the time she went back it was to late. He was gone. He had been taken to the Flaminian Gate to be executed on February 14th. They laid his body to rest along the Via Flaminia outside of Rome.
Now please understand this is merely a legend and none of it is entirely historically accurate, however there are small pieces to which are good possibilities. In the end, it's not the story behind him that makes it all so worth it, but the fact that even down through the ages the name and date of Valentine is one attached to love and honor. So we have St. Valentine's day to remember those that we love and cherish. Be it spouses, children, parents, family or friends. How will you show your love this year in remembrance of one who gave his life for love?
Once upon a time, many a year ago, there was a man by the name of Valentine. During the time which Valentine lived there was a king who's name was Claudius II. Now Claudius was a man of war and needed soldiers for his army. After several campaigns his men began to grumble about wanting to go home to their families. To encourage his men to war rather than be with their families, he banned marriage completely. However, Valentine, who was a priest, believed wholeheartedly that the value of family is above that of any other except God. So he continued to marry couples in secret. When Claudius found out, he demanded the arrest and imprisonment of Valentine. The prison guard where Valentine was sent had a blind daughter who knew the passageways of the prison very well. She was in charge of bringing the prisoners their food. Valentine and the daughter would spend time together as she would bring him books, and flowers for him to read and smell. He read the books to her, and explained the colors and taught her the gentleness of the flowers scent and feel. Eventually they fell in love. All the while, Claudius continued to demand that Valentine recant from his faith and from the belief that marriage is godly. Valentine refused. Claudius grew so angry at Valentine he sentenced him to death by beheading the next day at dawn. When the daughter heard the news she begged Valentine to recant so he could live and be with her. He told her to have faith and she would see that all would be well. Then he hugged her and she stumbled back. Suddenly things in her vision began to appear. Dimly at first, and then with more clarity until she could see the face of Valentine for the very first, and last, time. Confused she ran straight to her father. Valentine wrote her a letter that poured out his love for her and left it in the cell signed simply "Your Valentine". By the time she went back it was to late. He was gone. He had been taken to the Flaminian Gate to be executed on February 14th. They laid his body to rest along the Via Flaminia outside of Rome.
Now please understand this is merely a legend and none of it is entirely historically accurate, however there are small pieces to which are good possibilities. In the end, it's not the story behind him that makes it all so worth it, but the fact that even down through the ages the name and date of Valentine is one attached to love and honor. So we have St. Valentine's day to remember those that we love and cherish. Be it spouses, children, parents, family or friends. How will you show your love this year in remembrance of one who gave his life for love?
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