Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day? There are many legends but my favorite goes back to the 3rd century A.D.

The Roman Emperor, Claudius II, decreed that young men were forbidden to marry because he felt that unmarried soldiers were better warriors. He wanted to grow his army with men who would not be distracted by families. Valentine, a priest in Rome, performed marriages in secret and was imprisoned for defying the edict. While a prisoner, he cured his jailor’s daughter of blindness. Before being executed on February 14 in 270 A.D., he sent the girl a farewell note signing it “Your Valentine.”

St. Valentine’s Day became associated with romantic love in the 14th century based on a poem by Chaucer.

The 18th century popularized gift giving and exchanging elaborate handmade cards known as valentines. In the 1840’s, Esther Howland set up an assembly line of card makers in her home, becoming the first person to mass produce valentines in the U.S.

If you’re looking for a non-traditional Valentine’s Day gift, please consider surprising someone you care about with my book! It will last longer than flowers, and it’s as sweet as chocolate but without the calories!

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, I’m doing a book signing at Barnes & Noble at The Waterfront on Thursday, February 11, 2016, starting at 6 p.m. I would be delighted to personalize a copy of Ten Fingers Touching for your lover, mother or friend!

Happy Valentine’s Day and a toast to the romantic in all of us!