According to legend, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughter while imprisoned. The holiday has been celebrated for generations to follow with cards.
It’s the second busiest holiday behind Christmas for Hallmark, as thousands of people including L.C. Porter flood the company’s headquarters for a card. Valentine’s Day is also an anniversary.
“I’m kind of late. I’m slipping. Normally I come in here every year, get the card and be okay. Every year I get one that says Happy Valentines/Anniversary," said Porter.
41 Action News managed to get a behind the scenes look at Hallmark and what goes into Valentine’s Day.
Historian Samantha Bradbeer has been the historian there for the last six years.
“Technically as long as there’s been the need to communicate, we’ve had greeting cards, and that’s the same thing for Valentine’s Day,” Bradbeer said.
In the archives, they have every kind of card imaginable, reflecting just about every time period. There are Valentine’s Day cards with servicemen on the front, reflecting World War I and II. There are cards that remind you of your childhood, in school.
“And it’s everything from very romantic love to casual or family love,” Bradbeer explained. "So you can send a card to anyone.”
Hallmark is doing its part to keep up with the times. Melissa Powlas is a trend forecaster who said the holiday is becoming less about romance and couples.
“We’re seeing people celebrate friendships and all different kinds of loving relationships in their life,” Powlas said.
Holidays like Galentine’s Day.
“That’s when you get together with your friends, you have treats, you might make a craft and exchange cards,” Powlas explained.
Nearly 114 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged every year. Hallmark first offered Valentine’s Day cards in 1913.
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Kevin Holmes can be reached at Kevin.Holmes@KSHB.com
