It is widely believed that Valentine's Day has pagan roots, specifically in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility and the onset of spring.

Valentine's Day celebrates the heart in all its forms—love that is bold or tender, hopeful or quietly vulnerable. Few symbols capture this emotion as naturally as the bleeding heart flower, pictured here. With its unmistakable heart-shaped blooms, the plant emerges each spring, growing up to 2 feet tall and spreading nearly 30 inches wide, creating a graceful, almost poetic display.

That beauty, however, is fleeting. As warmer weather arrives, the bleeding heart completes its cycle: the flowers fade, the foliage retreats, and by late spring or early summer, the plant slips gently into dormancy. Its short-lived bloom is part of its charm.

Unlike flowers that demand attention, bleeding hearts offer a quieter kind of romance. Their brief bloom reminds us that connections feel meaningful because they evolve over time. Valentine's Day reflects that idea as well. Whether you're celebrating a new relationship, honoring a long partnership, or simply acknowledging the people who matter most, the day is about recognition as much as romance. Seen through that lens, the bleeding heart fits the moment—simple, sincere, and meaningful without needing to last forever.