Valentine's Day is...

...the celebration of love in all its forms – a moment of passion, a lifelong commitment, affection for a friend, appreciation for a teacher or mentor, a tidbit for a beloved pet (yes pets receive almost as many gifts as people), or just the irresistible desire to give a gift to someone you like. This year over $20 billion will be spent on flowers, candy, cards, and - of course - fabulous jewelry How did all this glorious extravagance start?

• Some say it started with Cupid, the son of Venus, goddess of love and beauty. This adorable cherub with remarkable aim could make anyone fall in love by simply shooting his magical arrows into their hearts (magical, because they don’t send anyone to the ER, just to an expensive gift shop).                                                                
• And how did love become associated with Valentine’s Day? Long ago, the Roman ruler Claudius II insisted his soldiers remain bachelors so nothing would distract them in battle. Bishop Valentine, a romantic at heart, performed secret weddings for lovers. As a result of this defiance, Valentine was jailed and executed on February 14. While in jail, he wrote a love note to the jailor’s daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." Thus began a tradition that continues to this day…or so the story goes. Valentine was eventually sainted for this glorious deed. In 1537, England's King Henry VII officially declared February 14 the holiday of St. Valentine

Some fun facts:

• Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in the late 1800s. This year, more than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine's Day. 
• Over 40,000 Americans work at chocolate factories full time.
• Valentine’s Day is the second biggest holiday for exchanging cards--an estimated 8 billion each year (150 million  in the U.S. alone.) Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and, yes, pets.
• Americans spend more than $20 billion on Valentine's Day. After candy and flowers, jewelry is the most popular gift - with $4 billion spent each year on trinkets, serious bling, and engagement rings 
• More people get engaged on February 14 than any other day of the year.

 Don't wait a moment longer! Love and time are fleeting, Celebrate Valentine's Day now!