in the third century a.d., valentine was the bishop of terni (italy). he performed weddings for couples who were not allowed to get married. they may not have been allowed to get married because the parents did not agree with the connection or because the bridegroom was a soldier or a slave, so the marriage was forbidden. valentine gave the married couple flowers from his garden. that's why flowers play a very important role on valentine's day. this did not please the emperor. on february 14, 269 ad, valentine was beheaded because of his christian faith.