def valueFromString(self, value, context=None):
        """
        Converts the inputted string text to a value that matches the type from
        this column type.

        :param      value | <str>
        """
        if value in ('today', 'now'):
            return datetime.date.utcnow()

        try:
            return datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp(float(value))
        except StandardError:
            if dateutil_parser:
                return dateutil_parser.parse(value)
            else:
                return datetime.datetime.min()