Valentine's Day Fast Facts

Valentine’s Day — some love it, some hate it, some are utterly indifferent to it. Regardless of your stance, here are six facts that you might not know about the history of the February 14th holiday.

Learn something new, tell someone you love them and are grateful for them, and have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

1- February 14th hasn’t always been about cutie couples…

Some historians believe that Valentine's Day began in Rome by being a pagan fertility festival called Lupercalia. This “festival” included animal sacrifices and the whipping of women to signify their fertility. What the actual heck??!?

2- Pope Gelasius to the rescue…

In the 1300s, Roman Pope Geasius officially declared February 14th as “Valentine's Day” and started associated the day with love (not whipping and bleeding...thank you very much!), because it was believed that birds start mating season each year on the 14th of February.

3- Time to get romantic…

The very first valentine was sent in the 1400s, a poem from a French medieval duke named Charles, written to his wife. Although he was imprisoned in the Tower of London while he penned the poem, he brought the romance… One of the lines in his letter read:
"I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine." So sweet! And so 15-century, too 😉

4- Let’s jump ahead a few (hundred) years…

Individuals began exchanging handwritten cards to both romantic partners and friends during the 17th century. BUT it wasn’t until the 1840s until the first Valentine’s Day cards were mass-produced in the USA. The “mother of the american valentine,” also known as Esther A. Howland, is known as the one who commercialized Valentine's day cards in America. I miss being exchanging them as a kid with classmates 💌

5- These days…

Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is a widely-celebrated holiday, with nearly 55 % of Americans celebrating on February 14th each year. And, get this, nearly 6 million couples get engaged on Valentine’s Day. That’s a lot of people popping the question on the same day! ♥️

6- Depending on who you are and where you’re at…

Valentine’s Day is celebrated very differently in various parts of the world. Lots of Latin American countries call the holiday, “el día de los enamorados” (day of lovers) or “día del amor y la amistad” (day of love and friendship). How wonderful is that!

In Japan, it’s more widespread for women to give chocolates and gifts on February 14th, and exactly a month later, on March 14th, men “repay” the favor and celebrate women with gift-giving and more.

And so…

Wherever you are, and however you celebrate, here at Huntress Florals, we wish you a fun, safe, and enjoyable Valentine’s Day! May your February 14th be full of lots of love, friendship, gratitude, simple pleasures, and of course beautiful flowers, too! 💐 XOXO

A few of our Favorite Gratitude Quotes 🍂

Today, we’re sharing a few of our favorite quotes on thankfulness to keep the momentum of a grateful spirit forging ahead, into the weekend.

Which quote resonates most for you? Comment below!

1. “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” (Amy Collette)

We love this quote, because we’ve experienced firsthand how powerful gratitude is. It really does spark happiness in your heart. And that joy? It’s quite contagious when you start within and then expand it out toward others and into the world ✨

2. “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” (Cicero)

So much of life, and so many virtues in this world, stem from gratitude. A thankful heart truly is a great starting point to live a rich, beautiful, full life 🖤

3. “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” (Brene Brown)

This quote by Brene Brown is so simple and profound. Paying attention and practicing gratitude — these two, things can cause loads of contentment. Even the mundane moments of life can be beautiful. Seek the beauty in the every day 💐

4. “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” (Alphonse Karr)

We saved the best for last! This quote is one of our all-time favorites. Thankfulness and perspective go together. Sometimes all we need is to choose to see the glass as half full, or, in this case, the thorns with the roses. What a glorious way to view life 🌹

Día de los Muertos | 2020

Day of the Dead is my most favorite and meaningful celebration.

The theme may be death, but the purpose is remembrance and celebration. Today, during the Day of the Dead — may you, alongside me —  honor those who have passed.

Remember their stories. Remember their love. Remember their dreams. Remember their lives.

Let’s express love and gratitude for the times that we were able to share with our loved ones!

There is no loss without love. I’ll gratefully surrender to both.

All Hallows Eve | 2020

The leaves have turned from their vibrant oranges and yellows and reds, and are falling back to the earth. The warm apple cider smells divine. The air is chilled, the fireplace is roaring, the pumpkins are carved and creative costumes are abundant. Childhood nostalgia settles in.

Even if you don’t live in a part of the world that experiences all of these autumn happenings — the seasons are still changing, it’s a time to embrace the darkness, go inward, and reflect. We want to wish you a safe and memorable Halloween!

It may be different this year in some respects, but we still hope you get indulge in the traditions that make you feel at home in the spirit of the holiday.

Remember to also bask in the full moon light tonight!