Three Photographers Adventure: Photography Challenge: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. The time of year when pink and red match, when people feel, and make others feel, extra loved, lots of chocolate is brought out, millions of roses and pretty bouquets of flowers are sold, couples express their love to each other, and cupids are seen everywhere, but do you really know what Valentine's Day is about?

The history of Valentine's Day isn't exactly pin-pointed like other holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, or St. Patrick's Day. Some say Valentine's Day is named after a young bishop who was stationed in the Roman Empire, Claudius II was the emperor at the time, and thought married men did not make good soldiers, so he conveniently made a law forbidding young people from marriage.Valentine heard of this, and not agreeing, began to perform marriages in seceret. Claudius found out, and had Valentine thrown in jail.

Another rumor has it that while in jail, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter, and right before he was to be executed, he sent her a note signed 'from your Valentine'. The romantic note set many spreading the tale, and Valentine's Day celebrations were held, the earliest dating back to 1415.

No matter which, or if either, of these stories are true, everyone feels a need to be loved. Human love can not fill this emptiness in us, only God truly loves us unconditionally. We have been seperated from God from sin, and he provided a way for us to live in heaven eternally with him by sending his only son to die for us! You can experience this love that is like no other too, if you accept the gift God has given us and ask him to live in your heart. :)

So, we want to know what a little bit of your Valentine's day is like. Show us a picture of something special in your day this year! It could be a tradition, a cool dessert or meal you make, or just a picture of something neat you find. My parents always decorate our dinning room table in the morning and put a little something at each of my siblings and my spots. Usually chocolate is involved! ;)

Rules:

1. The picture you submit must be taken by you between February 8, and February 22, 2012, but preferably on Valentine's Day! ;) The Linky will close Wednesday February 22, so make sure you link up before then. :)

2. You may only enter one picture per contest, if you have more than one in your post, please specify which one you are entering.

3. If at all possible, list settings used to take it. (Camera, lens, date taken, time (even if vague, early afternoon, late evening, etc), ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.) You can find most of this info in the properties of your picture if you forget what settings you used! :)

4. Editing is allowed, but if you choose to edit your picture please post the original too. Please tell us what you did to edit your picture, also! :)

5. If you don't have a blog, email one of us (our emails can be found on the 'About Us' page) and we will post it/link it up for you!