This Retiree Tip from February 2004 reminds us of how this holiday came to be and some creative ways to celebrate.

Love is in the Air!

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine’s Day. But just how did this yearly celebration of love come about?Well, in 5th Century Rome mid February was traditionally the time of the Lupercian festival, an ode to the god of fertility. This festival brought young people together and was a time to meet and court a prospective mate. By AD 496, Pope Gelasius outlawed the pagan festival, but instead of doing away with the holiday altogether, he simply replaced it with a similar celebration deemed morally suitable. The pagan god Lupercus was out and the martyred Bishop Valentine became the new "lovers" saint.Saint Valentine had been beheaded for helping young lovers marry against the wishes of the mad emperor, Claudius. Before execution, Valentine himself had fallen in love with his jailer's daughter. His final note to her, was signed "From Your Valentine," a phrase that has lasted through the centuries.Though the pagan festival died out, Pope Gelasius didn't get everything he wanted out of his holiday. He had hoped people would emulate the lives of saints, but instead they latched onto the more romantic aspect of Saint Valentine’s religious life. While not immediately as popular as the more passionate pagan festival, eventually the concept of celebrating true love became known as Valentine's Day.

Looking for ways to send your affection? Here are some ideas.
This year instead of the traditional chocolates and candy hearts, why not give your loved one a healthy start on the New Year. A membership to a gym or the local YMCA would make an excellent gift and would really let the recipient know you truly care and want to celebrate many more Valentine’s Days to come.
If you just can’t bear the idea of not giving a gift of food, how about giving a heart healthy basket of favorite fruits tried up with a pretty bow.
Or, how about giving of yourself by giving up smoking or some other habit that may annoy your mate. It may be a hard gift to give, but the price is right! You may even want to make a coupon book full of vouchers a loved one can cash in for "one night at the movies," or "one sink full of dirty dishes washed," or any other special treat you know they may enjoy.
Perhaps nothing says "I Love You" more than writing a heart felt poem or song for the one you love.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, most folks would agree that the best gift you can give is the gift of love.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415, by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting is now a part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.