the origins of Valentine's Day

For those of you who have been cursing Hallmark all these years, here is the story:

Valentine's Day originates from Third Century A.D. Rome.

Emperor Claudius II banned marriage when he observed that men were refusing to leave their wives and join the army. Valentine, a priest, believed in love and marriage so much that he refused to follow the law and continued to marry young lovers in secret. For this, he was sentenced to death. Before Valentine was taken from his prison cell to be executed, he left a note behind for his fair maiden which he signed, “Love from your Valentine”. On February 14, 269 AD, Valentine became a martyr for his belief in marriage and love. Thereafter on February 14, people would honor the sacrifice Valentine made by exchanging poetry and love letters on this day.

I'm not suggesting we should martyr ourselves for love, but doesn't this shed a whole new light on the custom? As for Hallmark, I do think handmade Valentines are best...