Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Everyone is wrapped up in the exciting romantics of the holiday. You're probably day-dreaming about all the chocolates and flowers you'll receive right now. With all the excitement in the air, I bet you haven't given a second thought as to how the holiday came about. Well lucky for you, I've prepared a quick history lesson.

The origins of Valentine's Day can be traced back to Ancient Rome, but there are many different versions and legends of how Valentine's Day came about. Since the origins of the holiday are so ancient, some of the records surrounding the events are missing or destroyed. The most common story about how Valentine's Day came to be, is the tale of 3 martyrs. In the third century A.D., Roman Emperor Claudius II executed two or three men named Valentine on February 14 of different years, during the general persecution of Christians. It is said that they were most likely persecuted for giving aid to Christians, or refusing to deny Christ before Claudius. Their martyrdom was honored with a feast by the Catholic Church as the celebration of "St. Valentine's Day."

Another version of the legend says that February 14th was designated as " St. Valentines Day," was just an attempt to Christianize the pagan Lupercalia Festival, already celebrated in mid February. This celebration was held in honor of the Roman Gods Faunus and Lupercus, and consisted of animal sacrifices, and match making games. Lupercalia was eventually outlawed in the 5th century.

Not so romantic, right?

Valentine's Day wasn't actually romanticized until the Middle Ages, particularly by Chaucer. His poem, Parliament of Fowls, is the first literary reference to St. Valentine's Day with associations of love and romance. People during this time period also referenced the belief that birds mate in February, as a reason to celebrate the day as a day of love. Birds, in particular doves, have been associated with love and marriage for thousands of years.

But the days of ancient Rome and the Middle Ages are long over, and February 14th is now filled with candy, frilly pink hearts and fragrant red roses. I'm not sure how we got here but hey I'm not complaining, I love the chocolate.

Happy Valentine's Day!