A Brief (& Slightly Cheeky) History of Valentine’s Day
February 3, 2026 | By: Chris Knight
Happy Valentine’s month, everyone. In my part of the world, it is f-f-f-freezing cold out—perfect weather to snuggle up with your favorite lovey puddles for some romance, bubbles, and chocolate-covered strawberries (ed: oh CK, quel cliché!).
And as you head to the florist for some surge-pricing roses, you might find yourself wondering: where—and when—did this whole Valentine’s Day thing start?
It turns out the Romans may be to blame. They held a three-day pagan fertility festival (ed: three days??? Those pagans sure were fertile!). According to legend, women would place their names into a jar, and men would draw a name to be paired with for the duration of the festival. Today, we call this… scrolling through Tinder.
Eventually, Pope Gelasius banned the festival and replaced it with a holiday honoring Saint Valentine. The most popular legend claims that Emperor Claudius II banned marriage for young men, believing single men made better soldiers. A priest named Valentine defied the decree, secretly performing marriages until he was caught and executed.
For nearly a thousand years, Valentine’s Day remained a solemn religious feast. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that it became associated with romantic love. During this era, the concept of courtly love—knightly devotion—gained popularity. Noblemen began writing romantic poems and love letters, which evolved into the exchange of “valentines.” This, notably, predates the limerick “there once was a girl from Nantucket.”
By the 18th century, it was common for friends and lovers to exchange small gifts or handwritten notes. Improved printing technology in the 19th century led to the mass production of cards—and the rest is history.
Today, Saint Val is a $23+ billion business in the U.S. alone, with a staggering $2 billion spent on snuggly stuff for pets (ed: woof woof!).
In closing, let me suggest something different this Valentine’s Day: make your partner dinner instead of going out. Start with Oysters Rockefeller (or King Oyster Mushrooms for vegetarians), followed by a Filet Mignon with Compound Butters—vegans can sub a Cauliflower Steaks—and finish strong with a Chocolate Lava Cake for a final… eruption.
Give it a shot. Show your special someone that you cook with the most precious secret ingredient of all: love.
