I wasn’t sure, so I checked.

Apparently, Valentine (or “Valentinus”) was a third-century saint who was imprisoned and eventually martyred for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians who were being persecuted under the Roman Empire.  He was also said to have healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, to whom he once sent a letter signed “from your Valentine.”

Somewhere along the way this day that once subversively remembered someone who questioned the reigning powers of his day in light of the kingdom of God, became a lovers’ Hallmark card holiday with all the trappings.

Go figure.

So, if today you’re suffering from hallmark card holiday blues or don’t have a Valentine, take heart: it wasn’t supposed to be this way!  Go out and do something to remind yourself to Whom you really and ultimately belong; and on that note, Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!