During this time a Christian priest named Valentine came to defend love in the empire. Valentine began to secretly marry couples despite the emperors orders. When Emperor Claudius was informed of these ceremonies, Valentine was sent to prison where he remained until his death on February 14 in the year 270.

Another story traces the beginning of Valentines Day to the belief that birds, particularly lovebirds, began to mate on February 14.

A third story is that for many years young people in France and England would get together on St. Valentine's Eve. Each person became the "valentine" of the one whose name was drawn from a valentine box.

To our students, Valentine's Day brings memories of exchanging valentines with the whole class in elementary school, planning something very special with your boyfriend or girlfriend, or getting a special gift from a loved one.