Valentine’s Day is either a day to love or a day to hate.

But, either way, society will not let anyone forget it.

Between the chocolate, heart-shaped candies, pink, stuffed teddy bears and expensive reservations, the public has embraced this holiday as one of its own.

Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, began sometime around 500 A.D. in honor of Saint Valentine, who was considered a public martyr at the time.

Roman Emperor Claudius II found through research that single men performed better in the military. So, in a resort to create more passionate soldiers, Claudius declared that young men could not marry.

Valentine was a young priest at that time, and conducted secret wedding ceremonies.

Later, when he was identified, he was thrown in prison and later executed.

A note was found addressed to the jailer’s daughter, whom Valentine had fallen in love with, which was signed “from your Valentine.”

I wonder if Saint Valentine knew what a ruckus he would create from his simple acts of kindness?

I wonder if he knew that his name would one day be plastered on television commercials, scribbled on billions of Hallmark cards, and coated in milk chocolate roses?

Society has butchered almost everything Saint Valentine stood for.

We have turned this holiday into a day of forced romance. And, in doing so, we have failed to recognize who Saint Valentine was.

To me, Valentine was a hero.

He was a hero because, in a world governed by public opinion, he took a stand.

He stood for what he believed in, and he died for a cause.

It makes me think of the men and women fighting overseas. They graciously lay down their lives for our freedom and our safety, fighting publicly for what they believe in.

To me, they are heroes.

It makes me think of the courageous pastors who lay it all on the line to marry couples so deeply in love that they can’t wait to proclaim it. Fighting for the right to be publicly recognized as married

in a world that is blinded by sexual orientation.

To me, they are heroes.

I am thankful that I share a world with these kinds of people. People who risk their lives for our country, risk their reputation for equality, and uphold love the way it should be upheld.

To me, Valentine’s Day is simply a day to honor a man who dared to stand out against the crowd.