Love takes on many forms; the love of life, love for a man or woman, love for one's parents and the love for one's children.

Love of life is expressed through our goals and motivations throughout our years.

Love between men and women is shown affectionately and considerately. Parental love is shown with obedience and respect and love for our children with care and understanding.

The history of Valentine's Day is one of love for life and God.

In the Third Century, Claudius II, an oppressive emperor, ordered that all Romans worship twelve Gods; death would come to those who disobeyed, or even associated with Christians.

Valentinus, a devout Christian, continued practicing his beliefs in a forbidden Almighty God, and was soon arrested for doing so against the strict orders of Claudius.

While imprisoned, a jailer recognized Valentinus as a man of learning and requested that his blind daughter, Julia, be brought to Valentinus for academic lessons. The request was granted and Julia was soon catching on well to everything Valentinus was teaching, including his strong beliefs in God.

Valentinus' eyes were Julia's eyes; his wisdom, her comfort.

One day, Julia asked, "Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" "Yes, my child, he hears each one," he replied. "Do you know what I pray for every day and every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you have told me about!"

"God does what is best for us if we only believe in him," Valentinus said. "Oh Valentinus, I do believe. I do!" Julia answered intensely.

Valentinus and Julia knelt and prayed. All at once, there was a bright light encompassing the cell. Julia stood and screamed, "Valentinus, I can see! I can see!" "Praise God!" exclaimed Valentinus.

On February 13th, the eve of his execution, Valentinus left a last note to Julia reminding her to always stay close to God. He signed it, "From Your Valentine."

On February 14th, Valentinus' sentence was carried out near a gate now named "Porta Valentini" in his memory.

He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome.

It is there that Julia, herself, planted a pink-blossomed Almond tree at his graveside; an eternal symbol of her abiding love and friendship.