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February is a month of romance. Each year, on February 14, valentine
cards with sentimental quotations and love poetry, flowers and gifts
are exchanged between lovers, all in the name of St. Valentine.
Children exchange valentine cards at school. The town of Loveland,
Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14.
By the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in
England and France. A legend contends that the good Saint Valentine
was a priest who lived in Rome during the third century. Roman
Emperor Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time getting
soldiers to join his bloody and unpopular military campaigns. Many
men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave
their loved ones. Emperor Claudius decided that single men made
better soldiers. He outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine
thought that this new law was cruel. He continued to perform
marriage ceremonies for young lovers - secretly, of course! Other
stories suggest that Valentine also aided the Christian martyrs
escape harsh Roman prisons where they were beaten and tortured. For
his kind deeds, for defying the cruelty of the Emperor and going
ahead with the secret marriages St. Valentine was caught, thrown in
jail and condemned to be beaten to death and to have his head cut
off. Many young people came to the jail to greet him. They threw
flowers and notes up to his window. They wanted him to know that
they, too, believed in love and kindness. Saint Valentine suffered
martyrdom on the 14th day of February, 269 A.D. Pope Gelasius set
aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.
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According to the legend, Valentine actually sent the first valentine
message himself. The daughter of the prison guard was allowed to
visit him in the cell. On the day of his death, he left her a
farewell note thanking her for her heartfelt friendship. He signed
it, "From your Valentine." Gradually, February 14 became the date
for exchanging love messages, and St. Valentine became the patron
saint of lovers. Now, every year on this day, people remember that
nothing can stand in the way of love because "love can not be
beaten".
The story of Valentine-s Day never ends! On this day, celebrate your
family ties that generate abundance of sincere and unconditional
love; pay tribute to the deep bond of true friendship taking you
throughout all shady and sunny times in your life. With Valentine's
Day here, take this opportunity to shower dearest members of your
family and your friends with your generous love and candid loyalty.
Celebrate the spirit of the day with all your dear ones who surround
you with love. Let your precious ones know how much you treasure their
presence in your life! If your mind remembers only one name and your
heart sings, "Love is in the air"; if you want to ask this important
question, "Will you be my Valentine?" but cannot find the right words
to express your love and devotion, then ask, "Will you be mine?" with
our beautiful collection of items from faraway places around the
world. Tell your Valentine, "I love you!" with our romantic gifts and
let your sweetheart know how great your love is on this Valentine's
Day. Our perfect presents will melt the heart of that someone very
special!
Happy Valentine's Day!
USA Gift Online staff.
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