Valentine's Day is a much loved holiday full of fun and romance. Children love to trade funny valentines and read conversation hearts. Adults become true romantics while sending flowers and chocolates. So how did this sentimental holiday get started? When did this favorite tradition begin? Several different versions have been passed down through history.

The history of Valentine's Day goes way back to ancient Rome. One of the popular versions noted in history, states that Valentine's Day originated as a celebration in honor of Saint Valentine. Valentine was a priest during Rome's third century. Valentine would marry young couples in secret due to a ban on marriage set forth by the Emperor Claudius II. The Emperor believed that marriage made his soldiers weak and he needed a dedicated army that was ready to go to war at any time. When the Emperor found out about Valentine's defiance, he put the priest to death. Another twist to this story tells the tale of Valentine falling in love with the Emperor's daughter and sending her a letter in which he wrote of his love for her and signed "love your Valentine". Valentine is said to have died on February 14th and the holiday was named in his honor.

Another version, relates this holiday to Ancient Rome, as a celebration taking place in mid-February to begin the Feast of Lupercalia. The festival was said to honor the pagan god, Lupercus, and those who participated would increase their fertility and fend off evil. Men and women were whipped with animal hides as part of the festivities. Young women would place their names in a box to be chosen by a young man at random, so that they would have a partner for the new year.

While some say that the first valentine was sent by Saint Valentine himself, others trace the tradition to the Middle Ages. At the time valentines were small sentiments or poems that were excanged verbally by lovers. Paper valentines originated in the 1400's as letters containing love verses and many are now on display in the British Museum. Written valentines were a common tradition during the 16th century and continued to be handmade notes containing drawings, poems and verses. It wasn't until the 1800's that the first commercial valentines were produced in the United States. The tradition of sending valentines continues to grow today, with Valentine's Day being the second most popular day for greeting cards (Christmas being first).

Today, celebrating Valentine's Day goes way beyond the sentiment of a card. Gifts of candy, flowers, balloons, lingerie, and stuffed animals are favorite tokens of affection. Many couples will plan a special dinner at a favorite restaurant. Engagements and weddings are also very popular on Valentine's Day. No matter how it's celebrated, hugs and kisses abound and love is definitely in the air!