JRT,

Thanks for this day's best wishes. Pessimist that I am, I've always likened it to sticking one's arse in the fire and expecting to enjoy the experience.

St Valentine or Valentinus was a derivation of valens (meaning worthy) and on the day he died, after being jailed for not renouncing Christianity, he had sent a note to his jailer's daughter - from Valentine. This day was previously set aside for love lotteries but was eventually dedicated to dear Val, now elevated to the position of Patron Saint of Lovers.