Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day?

By Matthew Burrell

Valentine’s Day is associated with cards, flowers, chocolates and of course love and romance.  But its origins are far less pleasant, as Valentine himself was a man executed well over a thousand years ago by the Romans, who didn’t like Christians standing up for their beliefs.

The Catholic Church made Valentine a Saint, with a regular feast day held in his honour every February.

How this came to be associated with declarations of love is shrouded in mystery, but it is thought that birds choose their mates in February when they are full of the joys of early Spring.

A statue was put up to honour Valentine in 350.  Historians think he was either the Bishop of Turni executed by Placidus, the prefect of Rome, or a priest sentenced to death by the Emperor Claudius II.

Either way, the poems of Geoffrey Chaucer reveal that Valentine’s celebrations had become firmly established in Britain by the 14th century, soon becoming one fixed date of February 14th.

This information should perhaps be withheld from your loved one on Saturday, as you stare into each other’s eyes, exchange gifts, and listen to all the sounds that the birds are making in the trees outside.

Love is in the air! After the first day of the Valentine's Love Box, these are the messages that were posted. Find out who is your secret admirer...

To Abi Iliffe, There won’t be a moment today that you won’t be on my mind. Love lots your secret admirer, Caretaker.

Be my Valentine? TB

To Julie Swingewood, Will be thinking of you on this special day, with your sexy hair. Me and you and a bottle of wine – match made in heaven x Anonymous

To James (Morrison)
When you teach me PA
I don’t know what to say.
Every moment spent
Listening to your teachings of local government.
All of the facts and all of the Acts,
I would trade for one night in the sack,
In Brighton, let’s go and build a love shack! Anonymous

James Christopher Sheppard – You are BUFF! Love? Anonymous

Rose are red, violets are violet … Anonymous

Thomas Edward Pearce, You’re hot stuff … (edited) xxx Anonymous

To Lucy (Smy),
I wish we could be more hands on
Let’s be together,
Your flame red hair and fiery temper
Will be forever in my retina.
It has imprinted a memory
Which will always be.
Let’s get down to business.  Anonymous

To Paul C, My, my cute baby boy, with love urs 4eva, C x

I love Fay …………. Anonymous

Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
Happy Valentine’s babe,
I love you! Anonymous

To Sue (Alexander)
You gave meaning to what was once chaotic scribblings
I wish we were spiritual siblings
And you could teach me how to abbreviate
Everything from love to hate
Make me faster, make me clearer make you mine
Make me know everything about Teeline. Anonymous

To Brian Cathcart, your deep voice is so sexy it sends me to sleep, be my Valentine and 'educate me'! Anonymous
 
To Lucy, Happy, healthy Valentine's day friend. From your favourite housemate and partner in crime. Anonymous
 
Baby Dang = J, Happy Valentine's, been 5 months! Love you, Katy Perry xxx
 
I see you on the tube sometimes. Your eyes make me melt when you catch me staring, El xxx

Dearest Clive, We have been friends since 1st year, I know you are with Juliet but I really like you and it is tearing me apart. I wish I could tell you to your face. Be mine? Anonymous

Dearest Daniel (Townend),
You make our hearts go woop,
with your latest news scoop.
We think you're really flash,
with your front-page splash.
You boost our imagination,
for our pagination.
Demanding a vox-pop,
does not make our love stop.
All we want to say,
on this special day,
is we WOB you!
Love The River Team. 
 
Love, peace and rock and roll. Anonymous

Love Joke: Beautify is too seen! Not touch, if you touch not too much! from Ahmad River, see ya soon! Wait in the bus stop, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
Dear Laura,
Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
When you stare at me in lectures,
I really want you!
All my love?
Anon, 3rd year

To Lucy, Have a great Valentine's, keep on smiling. I only let you win at pool to make you feel better! Love? Anonymous

Hi baby Katy! Happy Valentine's and I will let what you did to me slide. "You stepped on my UGG's!" Anonymous
 
You have been on my mind since I first laid eyes on you. Can't wait for the next O.C. event! ^^ Kisses and hugs xoxoxo O.C. President x

Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
Please be my Valentine,
And I'll be your's too. Anonymous

To the two blonde girls on the Valentine's box, Will you be our Valentine's? Both at the same time??!! Anonymous

I love you lots and lots x x x x :) Knowing you means a lot to me, my heart thumps an extra beat at the thought of you :) Anonymous

Blonde girl who always sits in the 3rd row on the left in music tech class. We always smile but have never said hello. How about taking it to the next stage? You know who I am. Anonymous

Sam and Dean, Winchester. If I could, I so would. But my husky would kill me. Anonymous

Sara, lovely Sara me apple of my eye! How I love you! We’ve enjoyed a GOOD working relationship and I’d like to take it to the next level! Anonymous.

Happy Valentines Day to Block 44 at Clayhill. Anonymous.

Mena, I love you so much it hurts, pharmacy love! Love Ismail Sultan.

To Hussein, love the greek Shemale.

To Hussein, love Sama.

Joan Emaes from someone who loves you xx

To Emma, you make my soul weep. You complete me! You rock my world, and make my loins ache. Je t’aime beaucoup :) From Alex Cheney, 3rd year International Studies.

To Sudip, I love you, Puja.

To myself n’ Kawther n’ Lucy, how about a nice cup … ? Love, Mena

To Miss Navneet Sangherg, the love of my life, I can’t live without my heart and you are my heart. You help me breathe. Your lipstick is cool, your lipstick is popping. Happy 3 years. Love you baby! Luv Sonia x

Sonia Kaur Bhandal, I would like to recite a poem to you! Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sugar is sweet and So are you! Happy 3 years, Love Navneet Sanghera xxx

To Lu, I love you wiv all my heart, luv from ur one and only. Anonymous.