Happy Valentine's Day!

No one is entirely certain where Valentine's Day comes from or who the original "Valentine" was. There are multiple theories, but what we do know is that Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as St. Valentine's Day at the end of the 5th century. Only years later would February 14th and St. Valentine be associated with love.

The oldest known Valentine is a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

By around the 17th century, the holiday began to be popularly celebrated with handwritten notes and greetings, later to be replaced by printed cards and greetings.

Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, after Christmas.

Valentine's Day is more than just a holiday for lovers. It's an opportunity to share affectionate feelings with your family, your neighbors, your classmates and anyone else who makes you feel loved! Valentine's Day is basically an opportunity to say "I really appreciate you!"

Here at the shopping center, our merchants are geared up and ready to go for Valentine's Day.  We have plenty of gift and party ideas ranging from cards to jewelry to wonderful baked goods. You can slide a gift card for frozen yogurt or Starbucks into a card or a Valentine's Day basket, or slip in some candy and a little stuffed animal or candle.  And of course we have plenty of restaurants to enjoy a nice Valentine's Day lunch or dinner.

Check out our Valentine's Day 2013 Idea Page for holiday inspiration!

For more information about the history of Valentine's Day, check out "Valentine's Day" on the History Channel.