Fearless Love, Certainly Stronger Than Your Coffee

Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many wars. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military campaign. He believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families. To get rid of the problem, he banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. 

Valentine, Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni, Italy), realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, Valentine, whose name derives from the Latin "valens" which means worthy, strong, or powerful, was was imprisoned, beaten with clubs and stones, and beheaded on the outskirts of Rome on February 14, 270. In prison, Valentine prayed for Julia, the blind daughter of Asterius, his jailer, resulting in her healing, the conversion of the jailer and many others. As his final act, He wrote a farewell note to encourage Julia to stay close to Jesus and to thank her for being his friend. He signed the note: “From your Valentine". 
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Pope Gelasius decreed his commemoration as martyr two centuries later. Besides engaged couples and happy marriages, Saint Valentine is also the patron saint of beekeepers—charged with ensuring the sweetness of honey and the protection of beekeepers.

Happy Valentines, everyone!