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Sunday, Feb 13th, 2005 - 12:02AM




Another angle of the horse's rump I shot in honor of Dubya's innaguration. I dug his heart brand and thought it was appropriate for this over-hyped, commericalized day or love.

Now for all of you out there that aren’t getting any chocolate or flowers or heart undies made out of material that itches, clings too tight or just doesn’t breathe… I've got the antidote for you. Let’s review the real history behind all these hearts and flowers. ....Ready?

According to church tradition St. Valentine was a priest near Rome in about the year 270 A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor Claudius-II who had issued an edict forbidding marriage. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. So to assure quality soldiers, he banned marriage.

Valentine, a bishop , seeing the trauma of young lovers, met them in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. Claudius learned of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested. The emperor, impressed with the young priest's dignity and conviction, attempted to convert him to the roman gods, to save him from certain execution. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully.

While Valentine was in prison awaiting his fate, he came in contact with his jailor, Asterius. The jailor had a blind daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter. Through his faith he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius' daughter. Just before his execution, he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after.


So next time you bite into a chocolate Valentine, remember a priest died for that sweet treat.

....Now, don’t you feel better? ;)




Posted by Susan B.
Archived under: Diana
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