After Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage in his attempt to get more men to join the army, it is believed that Saint Valentine, a priest, secretly continued to marry couples. For his refusal to comply with Claudius' order, Saint Valentine was executed. Before his execution, he sent a note to a young girl who had regularly visited him while he was imprisoned. The note was signed "From your Valentine". This is considered the first "Valentine" greeting, and it was that note that started the custom of exchanging love messages every February 14, the day Saint Valentine was executed.
