St. Valentine's Day

We are feeling the love here in South East Radio this morning as we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day.

But who was St. Valentine and where or how did it all begin?!

The legend of St. Valentine is a little shrouded in mystery with the catholic church recognising at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. All were Martyrs. Some say that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families so he outlawed marriage for young men. So Valentine, realizing the injustice of this continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

Or other legends suggest that it was Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, who was the true namesake of the holiday.

Or was Valentine killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. Did an imprisoned Valentine actually send the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl—possibly his jailor’s daughter—who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression of course that is still in use today.

Some Valentine facts!

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages
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
By 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged.
Today an estimated 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year
Nowadays the best admission of love is to update your Facebook status to “In a Relationship”!
The most ideal proposal is on a deserted beach on you guessed it Valentines Day!
James is the sexiest male name while Sarah tops the list for ladies
Favourtie Valentine movie is Pretty Woman with Bridget Jones in 2nd place
I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy makes it in as the favourite quote

What do we look for in a good partner?

Well according to a recent survey these following traits are what makes us look twice!