Julia

Julia was the blind daughter of a Roman jailer during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. She befriended Valentine, a Christian priest imprisoned for continuing to perform marriages after the emperor outlawed them. While Valentine awaited execution, he prayed for Julia, and her sight was restored. Their friendship became one of the few comforts available to him in prison. Valentine later refused an opportunity to escape because the jailer would have paid for it with his life. Before his death, he sent Julia a farewell message signed, "Love from your Valentine." Her relationship with the condemned priest connects his courage and faith with the tradition associated with Valentine's Day.