But somewhere between the saint's sacrifice and our modern celebration, we lost the entire meaning. Valentine's Day has become about feelings, about passion, about grand romantic gestures that look good in photographs. We've stripped away the foundation—the sacred commitment, the spiritual bond, the understanding that true love requires something deeper than butterflies and expensive gifts. ❤️

When I think about Valentine's Day, I think about what Saint Valentine actually stood for. He defied an empire to honor God's design for marriage. He understood that love isn't just emotion—it's covenant, it's sacrifice, it's choosing another person before yourself, again and again, even when it costs you everything.

My ideal February 14th? Attending Mass together. Praying for our relationship. Discussing how we can serve God better as a couple than we ever could alone. Maybe a simple meal, a thoughtful gift, yes—but all of it grounded in gratitude for the blessing of finding someone who shares your faith, your values, your vision for a life built on something eternal. 🙏