Living Valentine

While a Valentine's Day card doesn't necessarily have to be taller than the woman it's intended for in order to tickle her fancy, the traditional heart shape, especially with lace and other frilly accents is a necessity to maintain a connection to the holiday's romantic history. The custom of drawing a heart shape is believed to originate from early attempts to depict an organ no one had ever seen. The symbol has since progressed to become known as an international sign of love. Ribbons and frills have been associated with romance since the medieval times when knights rode into battle with a ribbon or scarf from his lady fair. Sweethearts began exchanging handmade cards during the 17th and 18th centuries when the French trimmed huge paper hearts with yards of real lace. Manufactured Valentines became popular in America during the 1840s, and during the Civil War many card companies marketed their products to soldiers who were far away from their loved ones.