February is traditionally the month of LOVE; right in the middle falls Valentine's Day. According to one legend, Valentine, a 3rd century Roman priest, performed marriages despite Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriage. Claudius believed unmarried men made better soldiers, and martyred Valentine. Valentine's Day was originally celebrated with hand written "valentines" and love letters. Fancy valentines made of fine papers and decorated with satin, ribbon and lace appeared in the 1830's. Now, Valentine's is the 2nd most popular day for sending greeting cards (Christmas is the first.)
