Everyone knows about Valentine’s Day, coming up on the 14th. We hope every reader has an enjoyable Valentine’s Day! A commemoration that is focused on Love is and always will be a winner. Let’s look into the history of Valentine’s Day – who invented it and why? Here’s what Google tells us:
“Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14th, is a holiday dedicated to expressing love, affection, and friendship through gifts, cards, and romantic gestures. Rooted in both ancient Roman traditions (Lupercalia) and Christian history, it commemorates St. Valentine, a martyr from the 3rd century.”
Why Valentine’s Day is Celebrated
The commemoration began as a celebration of the life of Saint Valentine who took a stand against the Roman Emperor Claudias II. Apparently, the Emperor had outlawed marriage for young men. Why had he outlawed marriage? The history tells us that Claudias wanted the young men to serve in his army, and he believed single men made superior soldiers compared to those with wives and families. Valentine was a priest who secretly defied the order of Claudias and performed marriages. As a result, he was imprisoned and he was beheaded.
So… Valentine’s Day is about choosing love and life over war and death. Saint Valentine was willing to give his life for what he believed!! Well, that’s definitely qualification for Sainthood, worthy of gratitude, commemoration and celebration.
“According to legend, Emperor Claudius II (reigned 268–270 A.D.) executed Saint Valentine on February 14, circa 270 A.D., for violating a ban on marriages for young men, which Claudius implemented to bolster his army. Valentine, a Roman priest or bishop, defied this order to secretly marry lovers, leading to his imprisonment and martyrdom. While imprisoned, Valentine is said to have sent a letter to his jailer’s daughter—whom he had allegedly cured of blindness—signed “From your Valentine,” establishing the tradition of romantic messages.”
Speaking of romantic messages, let’s enjoy one of the best. Searching through the most famous love poems leads us to these beautiful thoughts offered by Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
That is an incredibly beautiful expression of love. We’ve been wondering… can a fulfillment company write a valentine? What valentine expression does a fulfillment service want to offer the world? At AMS we offer values-based leadership, and that’s sincere. Let’s start with that … an AMS Valentine!
We Wish You Success
We wish you success in every deed of good, in every kept promise, in every realization that the ‘other’ is your brother.
We wish you success in every kindness, in every offer to lift another, in every realization that we are the creators of our success.
We wish you success in every new venture, in every vision of a better world, in every realization that yes, leaders with values do matter.
We wish you, our Associates and Clients, success in Life and Love … Happy Valentines Day from AMS!!
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If you are a business looking for product fulfillment, please feel free to contact us at amsfulfillment.com. We are true partners to our clients, and we focus upon client success.
