The 14th was also a designated feast day (until 1969, when it was dropped from
the Roman Catholic calendar) to honor two Christian saints (at least one named
Saint Valentine) martyred by the Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. There is a
little bit of love stuff in this part, though -- the reason Saint Valentine was
killed (beheaded, actually) was that he continued to marry young couples even
though Claudius forbade it. Apparently Claudius thought that married soldiers
weren't as good as single soldiers.
On top of all that, in ancient Rome, February the 15th was the fertility
festival (Lupercalia) in honor of the pastoral god Lupercus.
Through the centuries it all kind of got merged together, and the modern Saint
Valentine's Day is a day dedicated to lovers, a time to exchange sentimental
greeting cards and mushy words of never-ending adoration.
......A little history
Valentine's Day as you and I know it probably
originated from the ancient
belief that birds (particularly lovebirds) began to mate on February 14th.
Finally, a few valentiney thoughts to leave you
with...