Worried about getting the perfect Valentine gift or card for the very special loved one in your life? Make your own card or memory with that special love.  Isn't that what Valentines Day is all about, Love?

There are three legends about St. Valentine and how this day was brought to life. One is of a Priest in the third Roman century that performed a marriage ceremony against the wishes of the Emperor Claudius. Claudius believed that single men made better soldiers than married men. It was believed that Claudius had the priest put to death for performing marriage ceremonies for couples in love. The second theory is that Valentine was killed while helping Christians escape the prisons of Roman. Lastly, there is the legend that Valentine, while imprisoned, fell in love with the jailor's daughter. While there, he penned the first Valentine expressing his love for her and signed the card "Your Valentine." Is there any truth to these legends or just murky stories one may never know, yet it brings about passion, love, and heroic acts of kindness. And today the legend of St. Valentine is still continuing to express our love and passion for others.

While much time has been spent looking for just that special card or gift, making plans for that romantic evening out with that special loved one, and the retailers looking for sales to increase with the special purchase for Valentines Day, will this be the best Valentines memory? Some of the best Valentines can't be purchased and certainly memories are made not purchased. Here is what I mean.

One Valentines Day in 1986 my daughter, Laura age 11 at the time, prepared us a Valentine's dinner. She made a beautiful heart shaped meatloaf. The table was decorated with red napkins and candles were lit. She obviously had spent much time on preparing the meal. When I took my first bite of the meatloaf it took my breath away, I needed a drink of water. She asked if it was good and I couldn't speak. After catching my breath, we reviewed the recipe which called for one half cup of green peppers and she used one half cup of black pepper. Now, twenty years later, Laura and I still laugh over her heart shaped meatloaf.

Another Valentines Day I won't forget is when my oldest son, David, brought home his Valentines Card he made in third grade for me. The pink construction paper, the red heart on the front and his big smile make it so worth keeping and what a memory it was. The words inside said, "Roses are red, Voilets (Violets) are blu (Blue) I tinks you predy do you? Loves David. Let me share that his spelling has improved greatly and he will be graduating Indiana University this spring.

Last was my son, Steven's, gift to me a Reese candy bar two years ago. Steven handed me the candy with much prodding from his Dad. I was eager to take the candy unwrapped it then give him a kiss and when I went to take the first bite…Steven had both pieces and was it gone. Needless to say, that is a memory of what that candy bar might have been like. Oh, the joys of children. What memories they leave to us in our older life. God has blessed me.

All of these gifts bring back great memories and are treasures that I will keep for a life time. I have asked some others to share a memory of their favorite Valentines Day…many could not remember a special Valentine; however, I did get two responses which I will share.

"My Valentine isn't much; it is just the only one I can think of that was really special to me.

Sara came home from Riverwatch and kept saying "Box". I really didn't know what she was talking about. In her struggle to communicate she knew there was something special in it for me, but I didn't know what she meant. I went out to my car to get something and saw a red box on the floor in the car. I picked it up and opened it. It was a blown glass heart necklace with a red string on it and it was a valentine present from Sara from Riverwatch. I went in and showed her the necklace and she had a big smile and said "found box". I will never forget it and the necklace is still special to me. "

Marilee

"My husband and I had been married for only one year and our finances were tight. Needless to say, I did not know what to get him. So I went and bought him a bouquet of miller light ponies from Kroger, and made a bleu cheese fondue dip with hot wings (his favorite.) When he came home I had a blanket on the floor, candles lit, and the fondue pot ready and the wings and beer sitting right there…he was so surprised! It was a cheap Valentines Day, but a happy one!" Laura

Below is a chance for comments to this article…will you share a special gift, card or memory, from this year or a previous one?

I wish you all a Happy Valentines Day