Valentine's Day Proposals

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The history of Valentine's Day and St Valentine has long been shrouded in mystery, all of which adds to the romance of the day. But we do know that Valentine's Day as we know it has roots in both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

According to one legend, Valentine was a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II by performing marriage ceremonies in secret for young lovers after the Emperor had outlawed marriage for young men. Another legend says that Valentine himself sent the very first valentine message while in prison. It is thought that while in prison, he fell in love with the jailor's daughter who visited him and before his death on the 14th Feb, 269 AD, he wrote her a letter which he signed "From your valentine". His death coincided with the Roman Spring festival, the Lupercalia where young boys and girls drew names out of a box to find out who would be their partner for the festival. The early Christian church tried to stop this pagan festival but when they drew a blank, they linked it with St Valentine who became the Patron Saint of Lovers. Gradually the 14th February began to be recognised as the day to exchange tokens of love and friendship.

In Great Britain, Valentine's Day didn't really become associated with romantic love until the Middle Ages when the tradition of courtly love flourished in the circles of Geoffrey Chaucer and friends. Nowadays, it's the second most important date after Christmas when it comes to exchanging cards and greetings. Approximately one billion cards are sent each year and most of these are by women!!

Originally valentine's greetings were handwritten notes or tokens of affection but by the end of the 18th Century, the first printed cards were in circulations. The oldest known Valentine's card is on display at the British Museum and the first ever mass produced Valentine's Day greetings card were created in the US in the 1840's by Esther A. Howland.

The question is though, will this be the year that you receive that diamond ring from your beloved in return for your hand in marriage or will it be just a card and a big bunch of red roses?? Whatever the case, we are sure that it will be the perfect romantic day and just think there is always next year!! Or of course you could always promote girl power and take matters into your own hands!!

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