St. Valentine's Day

I'm not one to appreciate holidays normally, mainly because of the implied social obligation. But today I get to celebrate the love that exists between my wife, Liesel, and I and that's something I care about enough to overlook my general hatred of everything. The reason that we get such a special day is brought into perspective once you know the history of it. The Holy Roman Catholic Church ( of which I'm not a member but an admirer mainly for all the material that it provides stand-up comics ) actually recognizes TWO Saints Valentine on this day. The first, St. Valentine of Rome, was martyred in A.D. 269 after refusing to convert to Roman Paganism; even after being interrogated by Emperor Claudius II who offered him a pardon if he would only denounce his faith. The second, St. Valentine of Terni, invented chalk-candy. There have been other events since that have made February 14th special to lovers, like seven mobsters executed in a Chicago garage in 1929. But on this day, allow me to say that I love Liesel Bendio Potter. And pink m&m's.