Valentine [noun] means sweetheart (the object of one’s affections) or a card which is given to the object of one’s affections. A valentine for a valentine, so to speak. Reportedly, the given name Valentine comes from the Latin and means strong or healthy.  And…if Valentine gives a valentine to his valentine, we end up with yesterday’s word — redundancy. And, if we talk about Valentine’s Day, are we referring to a person of that name, the card, or the person to whom the card is given? Or St. Valentine, described by Wikipedia,  who has been associated with a tradition of courtly love, is a patron saint of epilepsy, had ministered to persecuted Christians, and was martyred.  February 14 has been observed as the Feast of Saint Valentine (Saint Valentine’s Day) since 496 AD.  Whether you are a Valentine or a valentine — or send a valentine — Happy Valentine’s Day!!

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