There is no simple answer to the question "Who was St. Valentine?" Three different Saint Valentines are listed in early Catholic history.

One legend shares the story of Valentine, who was beheaded on February 14 as a result of the orders of Claudius II. Claudius believed single men would remain in the army longer. Valentine was arrested because he secretly performed wedding ceremonies for those who were forbidden to wed. He became the patron saint of lovers.

Another legend is that Valentine was imprisoned for refusing to worship pagan gods or for helping Christians during persecution. While imprisoned, he befriended his jailer's daughter. On the day of his execution, February 14, he wrote her a note and signed it "Your Valentine."

February 14

On February 15, Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. This was a holiday that honored Lupercus, the protector of herds and crops. The day before this festival, young women put their names in a box or ceramic jar and every young man would draw a name. This couple would be partners in festivals and celebrations the rest of the year.

In 496 Pope Gelasius moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14 in hopes of stopping the pagan celebration. Eventually, the celebration of the Lupercalian feast ended and St. Valentine's Day remained.

During the Middle Ages, the English and French believed that birds began to couple halfway through the second month of the year. February 14 was looked upon as a special day for lovers and was an occasion to write love letters and send lovers tokens.