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All you children, even the little ones, would have heard of Valentine's Day, which falls on February 14. It is a day dedicated universally to love. Love, as you know, is something precious and beautiful, and is a gift that should be shared among people, whether young or old. So, how did Valentine's Day come to be associated with love? You may already know that the name is traced to Saint Valentine, the "patron saint of love". The event follows both Christian and Roman traditions.

Although the story of St. Valentine isn't confirmed, there are many legends surrounding him. One says that Valentine was a priest in Rome during the third century. The then Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage as he believed that single men made better soldiers than married men with families. Valentine took pity on the young couples and married them in secret, defying the orders of the Emperor, who promptly ordered Valentine to be put to death.

Another legend says that Valentine was sentenced to death for helping Christians escape the harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured.

Yet another story is about the origin of the expression "From your Valentine", which is used in Valentine's Day greetings. It is said that the first such greeting was sent by Valentine himself. While being kept imprisoned, he is said to have fallen in love with a beautiful young girl, possibly his jailor's daughter, who often visited him in prison. Before being put to death, Valentine wrote a letter to this girl and signed it "From your Valentine". This expression continues to be used all over the world.

Though no one knows whether there is any truth in these stories, St. Valentine has always been portrayed as a sympathetic, heroic and romantic character. By the middle ages, he was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Celebrating Valentine's Day has now taken root in Sri Lanka too, and although it's mostly a day for lovers, in most countries, people celebrate the event by sending greetings and sharing gifts among friends, family, relations and all loved ones. You too can show your love to your parents and family on this day by presenting them with a simple hand-made gift or card.

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