Marriage is to be celebrated - especially on Valentine's Day

Today's a day to celebrate love. It's Valentine's Day.

The holiday is named after a courageous priest who was sentenced to death on Feb. 14 around 270 A.D.

Emperor Claudius II decreed marriage to be against the law in the third century, and Valentine, a priest in Rome, defied the ruling and continued to oversee marriages in secret. For this he lost his life.

Flowers, cards, chocolate and a special dinner are a few ways couples will celebrate. For couples whose love in marriage has reached 50 years, a special event will be held at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau.

Schnucks Supermarkets and News Radio 960 KZIM have hosted this special event for several years. Couples married on or before Feb. 14, 1963, are welcome to enjoy a free party with pastries, coffee and music. It begins at 10 a.m.

Marriage is a special union, a bond couples make to each other and God. On Sunday the Southeast Missourian published the first in a series about relationships. Statistics show the marriage rate of adults 18 years old and older decreased from 1980 to 2010. Local numbers also point to a decline in the number of married couples.

There are any number of reasons for this, but it's disappointing news. Marriage is to be celebrated. We've editorialized in the past on the benefits, which can include happiness, longevity and financial and family stability.

For children, having a mother and father in the home is important. Having a companion to share life also is a blessing.

We hope you take time to celebrate God's gift of love and marriage today, Valentine's Day.