Celebrating love and marriage on Valentine's Day

This weekend couples will celebrate Valentine's Day.

The holiday is marked with special events and couples' own celebrations with cards, dinner, flowers and chocolate. But the holiday's name comes from a somber event.

Valentine, a Roman priest, was sentenced to death on Feb. 14 about 270 A.D. The sentence was because he married couples in secret, after Emperor Claudius II determined marriage to be illegal.

Marriage is something to be celebrated, and for couples who have been married 50 years or more there will be a special event at 10 a.m. today at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. It's the "Love is in the Air' Valentine's Party and Dance, sponsored by Schnucks Supermarket and News Radio 960 KZIM. The event is free. In addition to food, coffee and dancing, various awards will be given to couples.

This is the 39th year for the Schnucks Valentines celebration. It's impressive to see so many couples come out and enjoy the festivities. To be married for 50 years is a testament to the love and commitment of couples. Thank you to Schnucks and KZIM for helping to honor these couples with a special event.

There will be other Valentine's Day celebrations this weekend. You can read more in a story that appears in today's newspaper, see a list on Page 2A and online at semoevents.com.

Happy Valentine's Day.