Valentine's Day, February 14, a day honoring love and lovers, is the most romantic holiday of the year.

The history of Valentine's Day is shrouded in mystery. But it's most popular legend is of Saint Valentine ---Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

It is in the memory of St.Valentine that people celebrate their love for each other on February 14, every year. February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. Sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers marked the date.

-Chitra Bonam