Valentines Day 2026
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An annual February 14th observance, it is a global holiday dedicated to expressing love, affection, and friendship through greetings, gifts, flowers, and chocolates.
It's origins are a Christian feast day honoring St Valentine of Rome.
He was a 3rd century priest brutally executed on February 14th for secretly marrying couples against the orders of Emperor Claudius II.
The day evolved during the middle ages into a celebration of romance.
Those origins are the Roman festival of Lupercalia. It became a Christian feast day by Pope Gelasius I in the 5th century.
It later became associated with romantic love in the 14th century, linked to traditions of courtly love and the belief that mid February was the start of bird mating season.
During my career with the City of Columbia I became immersed in the tradition of chocolates for the ladies at work.
These were always consumed with great relish and I have seen 5 two pound Whitman's Samplers go down like so much fluff in a strong wind.
I have always wondered if somebody took my place after they ran me off. Probably not.
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