One theory of how Valentine's Day came to be goes back to Rome in 270 AD!! The emperor at the time, Claudius II, ruled that soldiers couldn't marry because it made them weak. He said married men were more emotionally attached to their families. Valentine, a priest of the day, thought this was unjust and he secretly joined lovers in holy matrimony. He was caught before too long and thrown into prison where he fell in love with the jailor's daughter. It is said that just before his execution he signed a farewell to his love "From your Valentine," a phrase that has lived ever after. He is believed to have been executed on Feburary 14, 270 AD.
By the 18th century, gift giving and exchanging hand-made cards (yay!!) on Valentine's Day became common in England. Cards made of lace, ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts were made and given to one's lover. It wasn't until the 1840's that Valentine's cards, intially made by Esther Howlanda Mount Holyoke, were made commercially available. They were made of "scrap." Hmmmm, was this the beginning of scrapbooking? You certainly know my thoughts on the subject.
Here's to spreading the love today my dear Valentines.
XO,
Lorelei
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