Heart behind the heart

Hello, one and all!!!

Well, as you all know, today is February 14th, Valentines Day. Some of you may have heard the story behind Valentines Day, the history of how the day was created, and of the figure St. Valentine. Some people say that this man was a mythical creature. You can believe whatever you want to believe, as for me, I believe he was real, and I'm not afraid to admit it!

St. Valentine was a kind-hearted, god fearing man. He was a wedding priest, who wasn't afraid to show his feelings and speek his mind. He fought for what was natural and right, and he followed the laws of God, not the laws of man. The story tells that the powerful king of his land wanted to outlaw marriage because of the soldier count, and because he believed that the married soldiers were taking too many days off to see their families and acting all lovey-dovey instead of fighting in battles. He thought that they were growing weak because of families, so he outlawed marriage. The priest Valentine, however, would not stand for it. He spoke out against the king's law, saying that it was morally wrong and that he should reconsider, for that was not the way God would want things. He secretly held marriage ceremonies, and also helped a man, who, I think, was one of the king's servants, or guards, or something like that, who also spoke out against the immoral law, break out of prison. Afterwhich, he performed a marriage ceremony for him and his love. The king found out, and was outraged. He was thrown in prison for holding secret ceremonies and for speaking out against the king. The king told him that if he gave up his faith in his God, and only followed him and his laws, that he would be freed, and St. Valentine refused. (Now, I cannot remember whether or not if this is before or after he was thrown in prison.) While in prison, he made friends with the jailkeeper's daughter, who was blind. Her father had told Valentine that she was worth nothing but to serve prisoners bread in a prison chamber because of her blindness, but Valentine convinced him otherwise. He showed her that she was worth more than that, and told her to ask the Lord for her sight. He had strong faith, and one day, while on her duties, her sight was suddenly restored. On the morning of Valentine's death, she brought him flowers, lillies, from the garden, and before he was killed, he wrote her a letter, and her tears fell. After his death, it was proclaimed that on that day, February 14th, would be declared Valentines Day, in memory of the good St. Valentine. So every time you get a gift of any sort, or, in this case, a heart-shaped box filled with sweet candy and chocolates, always remember that there is heart behind the heart. Well, I hope I didn't mangle that story too badly. Smiles and cheers! Be back soon.

Warmest wishes,
Jessica