history of Valentines Day

     In the article "Historically Incorrect Canoodling" by Stephanie Coontz they talk about the way the original was created and the history behind the name Valentine.
     if so many people knew the real meaning of Valentine's Day, not as much romance would be shown. Americans believe that sex is becoming more popular without the couple loving each other and the thought of getting married is less often brought up.
     A Roman catholic church created Valentines day thousands of years ago. people in that time believed that two people in love was good for the lovers to get married or for the lovers to even have sex that pleasures them.
     the name Valentines Day was originally named after a man. Valentine was a Christan priest in the 3rd century. he gave marriage to the Roman soldiers behind the emperors back which was illegal. the emperor thought it would be easier for the soldiers to fight in the battles without having to worry about anyone or anything at home.
     Valentine soon got sent to jail because of disobeying the law. he then feel in love with of the men's daughters who inaccurate him. Valentine was so in love that he sent his lover a emotionally changing letter stating goodbye. the trend from your Valentine on cards today comes from this error too, Valentine signed the goodbye letter, "from your Valentine."
     the date of Valentines day was originally meant to be celebrated as a huge feast honoring the Roman goddess of love and marriage Juno. not originally meant for love and romance.
     Other people Incorporated with the church hoped that the new holiday would take over place in February 15th, Lupercalia. Which was the night of February 14th, boys would choose a woman's name out of a jar and that woman would be the person they would make love for the entire years until the next Lupercalia.
     Girls didn't have a real choice then which was not fair. in today's society women are offered more choices and more people to choose from. the church people also did not like what they were doing.
     after years marriage was taken into a different turn. churches forbidden divorce of a couple, religious leaders thought that marriage was a step higher from sexual license. now in the 6th century Gregory the great (the pope) wrote that "marriage wasn't sinful the carnal pleasure cannot under any circumstances be without blame." which means that a married couple having sex for marriage wasn't wrong.
     the meaning of Valentines day is so different form how people express it now. the thought of sex without the people loving each other was the reason for valentines day in the first place without any romance. The change today was probably for the best. romance on valentines day is good for a couple.