 For most Westerners, the observance of St. Valentine's Day as an occasion related to choosing one's "Valentine" or sweetheart has been a fact of life for as long as we can remember.
However, historians say that the observance is really centuries old, citing the first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer. It reads:
"For this was on seynt Volantynys day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [chose] his make [mate]."
The poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia. A treaty providing for a marriage was signed on May 2, 1381. (When they were married eight months later, he was 13 or 14. She was 14.)
The history of Valentine's Day is much shorter in Ukraine, dating for all practical purposes from the early 1990s with the arrival of large numbers of foreigners and the concurrent discovery by Ukrainian merchants that Valentine's Day provided an easily exploitable business opportunity.
Ignoring the obvious commercial importance of the day, we asked that old romantic, The Observer, to poll some of our most amorous pub clients on the issue.
Specifically, we asked:
 I met a beautiful woman from Kyiv in Crete in September 2006. We e-mailed each other and planned to meet again. As a freelance photographer I decided to come to Kyiv with Christmas gifts for her and her family, and spend a month photographing Kyiv. It has been a wonderful experience and hopefully an exhibition of the edited images will be made in Scotland. I am indebted to the help of Anna Dimitriyeva and her family on this project, so she is my Valentine.
Robert Burns,
Self-employed photographer
Interviewed at The Drum
In Ukraine, 4-27 January 2007
 As a bachelor trapped in this abundant sea of devastatingly beautiful women, I would be hard-pressed to name but one name. Therefore, this Valentine's Day I will profess my love for all of Ukraine.
Johnny Moskalyk,
Entrepreneur Interviewed at The Drum
In Ukraine all together 1 year
 I would choose Anya, the O'Brien's administrator, as no matter how many times I arrive here she always has a warm smile for everyone, a calm attitude and always an ear to listen to problems. No matter how drunk we all get, she just smiles.
John Higgins,
Pensioner
In Ukraine 7 years
Interviewed at O'Brien's Pub
 My Valentine is Sveta, the center of my life, my special love and friend. She is the reason I work so hard, love so strong, and why I am here. I could not live one day without seeing her face, hearing her voice, feeling her hand in mine.
Jamie Schumann
President, The Husband's Agency
In Ukraine 3 years
Interviewed at TGI Fridays
 My lovely husband, Giorgio, my life, my love, my soul mate, who puts up with my moods, up and down. He is always there for me, through good times and bad, and after 20 years together he is still the sexiest man on earth and no one can match him.
Sue Mifsud,
Visa Writer, British Embassy
In Ukraine 15 months
Interviewed at The Cave Inn
 Thelma from Scooby Doo, because I want a ride in the Mystery Machine. But seriously, my lovely wife, Heather
Dave Giles,
Political Section,
UK Government
Interviewed at The Cave Inn
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