Valentine's Day, on February 14th, is a traditional time for lovers in various cultures to celebrate their admiration for each other. The holiday began to honor the life of Saint Valentine, a Roman Christian who was jailed and ultimately executed in 270 A.D. for helping other Christians. While in jail, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's blind daughter and miraculously restored her sight. Before his execution, he is supposed to have sent her a farewell note signed, "From your Valentine."

During Medieval times, girls ate unusual foods on St. Valentine's Day to dream of their future husband. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to find their valentine. They wore these names on their sleeves for one week, hence the expression "wearing your heart on your sleeve."

Another old belief is that if a woman saw a robin-flying overhead on Valentine's Day, she would someday marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. However, if she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a very rich man- but would she be happy?

In the United States we give candy, flowers, and cards to our loved ones on Valentine's Day. According to the Greeting Card Association, approximately one billion cards are exchanged worldwide. The association estimates that women purchase 85% of the cards.

Love Box

A tradition in my husband's family, and one our family also enjoys, is a special Valentine box. The night before Valentine's Day we decorate a big shoebox with red, pink and lavender construction paper. Our daughter decorates it with stickers, while we cut a hole in the lid of the box for our cards to be dropped into the following day. Cards from school, mailed to our home, and exchanged to each other are placed into the box before dinner. After dinner we gather around the box and start opening and sharing the cards with each other. It's a great time to say something nice about the person who signed the card.

Interior Decorating

My family's tradition growing up was to decorate the house with loving affirmations. The day before Valentine's day, we drew and cut out colorful hearts, then wrote messages saying "I love you", "Have a great day", and "You're Terrific". When everyone was asleep, my mom and I would tape these positive sayings all over the house.

My daughter and I have kept this tradition going strong. We tape some on the back of the front door for all to see before they leave for work or school. We tape one inside the refrigerator to see in the morning. I sneak one in my daughter's lunch and my husband's appointment book. I even tape one to his rear view mirror in his car. This once-a-year tradition puts a smile on everyone's face.

Coupon Book

Instead of buying gifts, candies, or stuffed animals, create a coupon book that will last all year long. The coupons are for things like... -stay up an extra hour one night -a trip to the library -a movie date -a special dinner -play a game together -a back massage

Make one for each member in your family. The coupons are all about giving your family what they really want- time with you!

Special Meal

Since the Civil War, the makers of NECCO Sweethearts Conservation Hearts have come up with some sweet ways of saying "I love you" on colored hearts. Their new sayings for 2005 were sports-inspired; "#1 Fan," "Fit for Love," and "Dream Team" made the list.

NECCO produces about 100,000 pounds of the candy hearts each day in order to meet the Valentine's demand, when about 8 billion hearts are sold in six weeks. Sprinkle these sweet candy hearts around the dinner table. Be sure to light some candles and prepare your family's favorite meal. Have your children help you bake a heart shaped cake and cookies for dessert.

One of my family's favorite is Cranberry Chicken Casserole. It's colorful, low fat and easy to make. The sauce is delicious.

• 1 can of cranberries
• 1 cup of French salad dressing 1 envelope onion soup mix
• Chicken breast and drumsticks

Mix the first three ingredients in a casserole dish (I also mix everything into a Crock-Pot and let it cook on high for four hours). Add chicken, cover, and marinate for several hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 325 and bake for 30 minutes. Turn over and then bake for another 45 minutes. Serve with roasted potatoes, fresh green beans, a tossed salad, and a warm baguette.

Creating a family tradition on Valentine's Day with giving gifts of kindness, time, respect, and thoughtfulness to the people you love, means so much more than just "I love you" inscribed on a card or candy heart.