The LuLac Edition #5, 573 February 14th, 2026

 

 

FOOD-TASTIC NEWS

VALENTINE’S DAY

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

 

The origins of Valentine’s Day stretch back long before heart shaped chocolates and red roses filled store shelves. The history behind Valentine’s Day includes dark origins, muddled stories and a surprising amount of chance.

What began as a mix of ancient rituals, religious honor and poetic imagination slowly evolved into a widely celebrated holiday centered on romantic love.

Today, people celebrate Valentine’s Day with gifts, flowers, and candy, often wishing each other a simple “Happy Valentine’s Day.” That modern celebration looks very different from its ancient origins in Rome.

Ancient Rome and Pagan Festivals

Saint Valentine and the 3rd Century

Several stories point to a person named Valentine living during the third century. One version describes a bishop or priest who defied a Roman emperor by secretly marrying young men and women.

According to legend, Emperor Claudius II believed unmarried men made better soldiers and banned marriages for young men.

Allegedly, Valentine refused to obey and continued performing weddings. His supposed actions led to imprisonment and execution, placing Saint Valentine at the center of the holiday’s story.

The Catholic Church and Pope Gelasius

In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius is sometimes attributed with recognizing Saint Valentine’s Day as a feast.

This move is sometimes described as helping the Catholic Church shift attention away from pagan festivals and toward Christian honor. The holiday took place in February, close to the older Roman celebrations.

At this stage, Valentine’s Day had little to do with romance. It functioned mainly as a religious observance rather than a celebration of lovers.

The Middle Ages and Romantic Love

The connection between Valentine’s Day and romance emerged during the Middle Ages. Writers and poets began linking the day to courtship and affection. Geoffrey Chaucer played a key role by writing about birds choosing mates on Saint Valentine’s Day.

William Shakespeare later reinforced the romantic theme through poetry and plays. His works include references to Saint Valentine’s Day.

From Poems to Mass Produced Gifts

By the 19th century, Valentine’s Day shifted again. Printed cards, gift boxes, and other gifts became widely available. Mass-produced valentines allowed friends, children and couples to exchange tokens of affection.

Over time, flowers and heart-shaped chocolates became standard. Red roses symbolized love, while other gifts offered a simple way to celebrate relationships.

Valentine’s Day in the Modern World

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the globe. Some people focus on romance and marriage, while others honor family or friendships (as with Galentine's Day). The holiday continues to evolve, shaped by culture, commerce, and tradition.

MY PERSPECTIVE

You should always treat your significant other to a meal, flowers and sweets. If married, do not take the years between you for granted.  Women of all ages want and need that validation.

For you single guys playing the field and choose to treat two women or three, use separate florists. There is a possibility that if you use the same florist to send flowers to two women, they might mix up the addresses and the women or her mom might find out and exchange the gifts. Or not.

Believe me…I KNOW!