Roses are red, violets are blue…… The origins of this poem synonymous with Valentine’s Day can be traced to Sir Edmund Spenser’s epic The Faerie Queene (written in 1590).

However, not much is known about the true origins of the day or who the real St. Valentine was. The Catholic Encyclopedia indicates that the saint whose feast was celebrated on the day now known as St. Valentine’s Day was possibly one of three martyred men named Valentinus who lived in the late third century, during the reign of Emperor Claudius II.

According to legend, however, St. Valentine was a Roman priest who was beheaded on February 14, around 269 A.D. He was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity, for marrying couples during a time when Claudius banned marriages and engagements, and for aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted.

Legend says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend during his imprisonment, and signed it “From Your Valentine.”

That was then and this is now. And, St. Petersburg is alive with places to go, things to do and people to see this Valentine Day weekend.

You can dine at any number of fabulous downtown restaurants including the Vinoy Hotel, Birch & Vine, Parkshore, Annata’s, Cassis, Ceviche’s, Il Ritorno, The Edge, and Grazzi’s, just to name a few.

As for a gift for your special someone, check out: David Reynolds Jewelry (Central Avenue), The Gift Box (400 Beach Drive), Sweet Divas Chocolates (400 Beach Drive), Schakolad Chocolate Factory (Central Avenue), In Search of Balance (2^nd Avenue, NE), Pippa Pelure (Beach Drive), Chamilia Jewelry (4^th Street, N), and of course, The Shops at Sundial.

A parting Valentine wish…. I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out. Elizabeth Barrett Browning