Valentine’s Day (February 14th) is quickly approaching. In the past, sweethearts exchanged tokens of affection such as little  gifts, chocolates, flowers, and pretty cards. Today, Valentine’s Day has grown to encompass not just romantic love, but love of every kind including family members and friends.

In honor of the holiday that celebrates all the most important relationships in our lives , we give you …

10 Facts About Valentine’s Day You May Not Know

1. Valentine’s Day is observed in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Japan, Denmark, Italy, and Australia.
2. While Valentine’s Day is named after St. Valentine, the Catholic Church recognizes three different martyred saints named Valentinus – or St. Valentine, and no one knows which one lent his name to the holiday.
3. Valentine’s Day is the second most popular card-giving holiday (only Christmas is more popular).
4. Esther Howland, known as “the Mother of the Valentine,” created and sold the first commercial Valentine’s Day cards in the U.S. in the 1840s.
5. The earliest known Valentine’s Day card was written in the early 15th century by Charles, Duc d’Orleans, to his wife during his imprisonment in the Tower of London following the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
6. In 1382, the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer made the first written reference to Valentine’s Day in connection with romantic love in Parlement of Foules.
7. In Finland, Valentine’s Day is celebrated as Ystävänpäivä (Friend’s Day), and is more about remembering friends than being romantic with loved ones.
8. Anti-Valentine’s Day cards (and cards known as “vinegar valentines” containing an insulting poem) have been around almost as long as Valentine’s Day cards.
9. The Women’s Memorial March, held annually on February 14th in Vancouver, Canada since 1992, calls attention to murdered or missing women in the district.
10. Americans exchange over 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards each year!

Greeting Card Universe offers custom Valentine’s Day Cards for every member of your family, including Valentine’s Day Photo Cards to help you share the love with all the important people in your life (and we also offer unique Anti-Valentine’s Day cards, too).

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I have been absolutely surprised & thrilled with the e-cards I have ordered from GreetingCardUniverse! The choice of designs is more than ample, and I am able to write my own poems and include my own photos, which makes each card one of a kind and more than special. The recipients have been very positively impressed. AND it doesn’t cost an arm & a leg! I plan on ordering many more cards in the future.” — Gretchen, January 25, 2012