15/02/2026
My mentor, KSO Kolade Segun Okeowo writes...
*VALENTINE'S DAY: π π π π π π Not For Emergency Lovers: Rediscovering the True Meaning of Valentine's Day*
Today is Valentine's Day and the air is filled with excitement, expectations, and a hint of desperation. To crown it all, this year's edition falls on a Saturday.
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However, amidst the sea of red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and romantic getaways, it's glaring we are losing sight of what this day truly represents?
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For many young people, Valentine's Day has become an opportunity for emergency love affairs, cheap emotional entanglements, and illicit sexual indulgences.
*But this is a far cry from the true spirit of Valentine's Day.*
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The story of Saint Valentine, the monk who inspired this celebration, is one of true and sacrificial love.
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In the 3rd century AD, Saint Valentine defied Emperor Claudius II's decree prohibiting young soldiers from marrying, believing that single men made better soldiers.
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Father Valentine continued to perform secret marriages, and when caught, he was sentenced to death.
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While in prison, Valentine became a friend to the jailer's daughter, who was blind. He prayed for her sight to be restored and wrote her a letter, signing it *"From your Valentine."*
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Before his ex*****on, Valentine's prayers were answered, and the jailer's daughter's sight was miraculously restored.
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Saint Valentine's story is a testament to the power of true love β a love that is willing to sacrifice for the sake of others, a love that is pure, selfless, and unconditional.
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This is the love that Valentine's Day should represent, not the fleeting, selfish, and destructive "love" that often masquerades as romance.
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Agape love, the Greek word for the highest form of love, is what Saint Valentine embodied. It is a love that seeks the best for others, without expectation of reward or reciprocation. This is the love that should inspire our relationships, not the cheap imitations that prioritize instant gratification over true connection.
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As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let's reclaim the true meaning of this celebration. Let's honour Saint Valentine's legacy by embracing a love that is pure, sacrificial, and genuine. *Let's reject the notion that Valentine's Day is for emergency lovers or cheap thrillers.* Instead, let's celebrate the beauty of true love, the kind that endures beyond a single day.
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So, this Valentine's Day, let's choose to love differently. Let's choose to love with intention, with kindness, and with sacrifice. Let's choose to honour the true spirit of Saint Valentine, and may our love be a reflection of the ultimate sacrifice β the love of God, who gave His only Son for us.
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Happy Valentine's Day, and may our love be the change we wish to see in the world.
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*JESUS IS THE GREATEST VALENTINE !!!!*