Saint Valentine is known for being a Christian martyr who lived during the 3rd century in Rome. He was a priest who secretly married couples during a time when marriage was forbidden by the Roman Emperor Claudius II. Claudius II believed that married men made poor soldiers and therefore prohibited marriage to ensure a stronger army.
Despite the ban, Saint Valentine continued to perform marriages and was eventually caught and imprisoned. While in prison, it is said that he healed the daughter of one of his jailers and fell in love with her. Before his execution on February 14th, he wrote a letter to her signed "From your Valentine," a phrase that would become popular in the centuries that followed.
Saint Valentine's legacy as a romantic figure began in the Middle Ages when he was associated with the tradition of courtly love. Today, he is celebrated as a symbol of love and affection on Valentine's Day, a holiday that has evolved to include the exchange of romantic cards, gifts, and gestures.