“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” -Charles M. Schultz

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day, Saint Valentine’s Day, or Feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated on February 14th in most countries. It is known as day of love, day of love & friendship, affection day, lovers’ day and lovers’ festival around the globe.

Valentine’s Day began as a Western Christian feast to honor saints of Rome, Valentinus’ (Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni) who both were martyred for their religious beliefs in 269. In the 14th Century it was the tradition when courtly love flourished. It evolved in the 18th Century into an occasion of lovers expressing love with flowers, confectionery, and sending greeting cards (valentines). In the 19th Century mass-production of valentine cards were started. Presently it is a day of cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance.

Cadbury, the British chocolate company, created the heart-shaped boxes for chocolates in 1868. In 1901 the New England Confectionery Company, or Necco, created the Sweethearts (conversation hearts) the heart-shaped sugar candies. The Spangler Candy Company took over Necco after their bankruptcy in 2018. They are not producing Sweethearts in 2019 for Valentine’s Day, but will have them in 2020. The most popular symbols for Valentine’s Day are hearts, doves, and cupid with a bow and arrow.

Poems are very popular for Valentine’s Day. Here is one from English nursery rhymes Gammer Gurton’s Garland 1784.
“The rose is red, the violet’s blue,
The honey’s sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou’d be you.”

On Valentine’s Day you can renew your marriage vows at Siesta Key Beach. Pre-ceremony events are from 4:00-6:00 pm and the event starts promptly at 6:00 pm.

Treat yourself and your significant other to a special Valentine’s Day treat by taking one of our tours. If you are a foodie, you will love our culinary experience.
Check out www.sarasotasuncoasttours.com or www.keyculinarytours.com.
Source: Wikipedia