love

Plato and his students.

5:1 Let it then be your desire to be like God, as well-loved children;

5:2 And be living in love, even as Christ had love for you, and gave himself up for us, an offering to God for a perfume of a sweet smell.

Jupiter and Juno by Annibale Carracci.

The association of the middle of February with love and fertility dates to ancient times. In the calendar of Ancient Athens, the period between mid January and mid February was the month of Gamelion, which was dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera.

11:1 Put up with me if I am a little foolish: but, truly, you do put up with me.

11:2 For I have a very great care for you: because you have been married by me to one husband, and it is my desire to give you completely holy to Christ.

Don't wait until it's too late to tell someone how much you love, how much you care.
Because when they're gone, no matter how loud you shout and cry, they won't hear you anymore.

Love isn't a decision, it's a feeling. If we could decide who to love,
Then, life would be much simpler, but then less magical.

Traditional symbols of Valentine's Day include hearts, doves, Cupid and love notes. American postcard, circa 1900.

Fresco of a female figure holding a chalice at an early Christian Agape feast. Catacomb of Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Via Labicana, Rome