Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope everyone has a great day filled with way too much chocolate and candy!

So today is not all about candy and flowers, there is actually some interesting history behind the reason why we celebrate today. It is still a mystery who exactly we are celebrating, but there are some very good theories. There are at least three saints named Valentine or some variation and all three were martyred, perhaps this is why there is so much mystery surrounding the origin of this holiday. There are a few theories about who Valentine was, from a priest who performed secret weddings for young lovers and was killed for it to a man named Valentine who sent the first Valentine and signed it “From your Valentine” to a man who attempted to bust people out of jail. I like the first theory myself, but whatever the reason is it sounds mysterious and my sweet tooth is thankful for it.

Here are some fun facts about today:

• One billion cards are estimated to be sent each year.
• Women buy 85% of all valentines.
• Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the U.K., France, and Australia.
• They even sent Valentine greetings in the Middle Ages.
• Esther A. Howland made the first commercial Valentine’s Day cards in 1840 in the U.S.

Whatever it is you do today make sure it is sweet!