I am, admittedly a bit of a world history nut and while looking up the origins of Valentine's Day, I came across an interesting anecdote. We celebrate this day as a manifestation of (eros) love... when truly...Love ( eros, philos, agape) in a more universal sense is illustrated by one of those many annonymous saints known throughout history with the Valentinius title. Here is one of the hagiographical accounts:

~A commonly ascribed hagiographical identity appears in the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493). Alongside a woodcut portrait of Valentine, the text states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner – until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor – whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stones; when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. Various dates are given for the martyrdom or martyrdoms: 269, 270, or 273.[20] (Wikipedia)~

To me, this story speaks to the length we should be willing to go to serve one another in love. As it says in John 15:13 New Living Translation "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

These days, love is an act of symbolic martyrdom in that, as a self-centered and focused society... the act of true love in any form takes a bit of dying to one's own ego and yielding to the spirit of faith, hope, trust, and love. Be AWARE... that does not mean that you must be naieve and blindly walk into situations that are not good for you in order to express love. Remember, Love can also mean letting go of people/ things that harm your well being and loving them from afar... (**equally as important to know the difference) You do not have to martyr your common sense just to show love.

At the end of the day, know that you are loved.... no matter what. You are special and important and live to make the world better because you were here. Much Love, Carmen