There are many types of love and the all should be celebrated at least once a year, if not much more often. We have the love of our spouse, our family, our friends, our pets and may others including our God. That is how Valentine's Day began as a Christian holiday.

There are conflicting accounts but most historians agree that in the third century a priest was jailed in a Roman prison for secretly marrying soldiers without the permission of the empire. Roman soldiers were not allow to marry while in the infantry ranks.

While in prison the priest fell in love with one of his visitors and began writing letters to her. The imprisoned priest supposedly sent the woman a letter before his execution that he signed off, "From your Valentine." That is how Valentine's Day was named for a martyred St. Valentine.

Valentine's Day cards

The first Valentine's Day card was sent in 1415 by the Duke of Orléans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Esther Howland (1828–1904) was an artist and entrepreneur who was responsible for popularizing Valentine's Day greeting cards in America.

About 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged in the United States each year, according to Hallmark. This number doesn't include the many packaged cards that kids give in classrooms

Valentine's Day Flowers

Globally, around 250 million flower stems are sold on Valentine's Day, with one-third being roses, one-third tulips, and the remaining third other flowers.