One Way to Celebrate Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a holiday made for lovers. Couples celebrate the day exchanging tokens of love. Many couples have chosen this day to celebrate their love by getting married.

One legend, as told on the History Channel, said Valentine's Day was initiated when a priest named Valentine was put to death for performing secret marriages. As the story goes, in about 270, Claudius II had banned all marriages in an effort to recruit soldiers into service. Unmarried men were allegedly more inclined to sign onto service. When Claudius discovered Valentine's disobedience he ordered Valentine's death sentence.

Today my husband and I have chosen to celebrate Valentine's Day, our love and commitment to each other, by renewing our vows.

We decided to do this in honor of Dad. For the last two weeks I've been in a frenzy trying to put this together. Getting dinner reservations for 10 is not an easy feat on the most active couples dining night of the year. I could not get the exact restaurant we wanted, but I did get second best.

Organizing the venue: As luck would have it, for 20 years San Antonio has hosted a free Valentine's Day Mass Wedding. This will be their 21st year performing the ceremonies. Last year they held the ceremonies at the Arneson Theater on the Riverwalk because of construction at the courthouse. They will be using the venue once again this year. Frankly, I think they should use it from here on out.






The Arneson Theater is a beautiful spot located in La Villita on the San Antonio River. Spectators sit on one side of the river on rock and grass seating to view whatever performance is happening on the stage across the river.

Couples will gather and line the spectator seats while the officiant performs the ceremony. You can see images of 2008 Valentine's Mass Wedding on San Antonio (TX) Daily Photo.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!