Valentines Day Through the Years at HSU: Throwback Thursday by: Brett Briggeman

With Valentine's day right around the corner, we have the opportunity to look back at how this special day for couples has been celebrated here at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU). 

From buying Valentines through the HSU bookstore to Valentine’s themed events, there is a rich history of celebration on this campus. However, it would not do the holiday justice if we did not first examine the history surrounding its origin. 

The main Christian theories surrounding the event revolve around the martyrdom of St. Valentine. However, this is complicated by the fact that there are three St. Valentine’s, who were all martyred in 270 A. D..

“Three Christian martyrs bore the name of St. Valentine and each was killed in 270 A. D. during the religious persecutions of Claudius II,” Erma Holt wrote in February of 1946. “But the most romantic one was a handsome youth condemned to die on the Appian Way. While awaiting execution, he fell in love with his keeper’s daughter and wrote her love letters or Valentines.” 

There are also medieval theories surrounding Valentine’s day, rooted in the mating periods of birds. “Various theories have been put forward on how the name “Valentine” became connected with lovers sending tokens to each other,” David McPherson wrote in February of 1956. “The most probable is that it began directly from the medieval belief that birds began to mate on Feb. 14, the birthday of these saints. Chaucer and others after him refer to this day as sacred to lovers for this reason.” 

Similarly, there are theories around this holiday rooted in grammar. “Another theory is that the custom grew because of the similarity of the Norman word “Galantin” meaning “lover” to the name of the saints,” McPherson wrote. “This confusion eventually resulted in association of the birthday of the saints being connected with lovers. That this is a hang-over from the pagan Roman feast Lupercalia held in February is still another hypothesis. At this feast, a boy drew a girl's name from a box, and thus became her “gallant” for the next year. The tradition for the boy to give a present on this occasion grew up.”  

The main Valentine themed traditions of HSU included parties and get togethers, but mainly revolved around the selling of custom “Valentines”, through the HSU Bookstore. Valentines were sold with prices ranging from 1 to 25 cents, with varying levels of customization available to the student.

Even though these traditions have all but disappeared, it does not mean that the meaning and purpose behind the holiday has. Use this holiday as it was meant to be used, to build, continue or even start a God-centered relationship with someone. It does not even have to be a romantic relationship, and could be just getting together with some friends and making new memories with one another. Happy Valentine’s day!

The Brand (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 18, Ed. 1, Saturday, February 13, 1954, newspaper, February 13, 1954; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth98340/m1/2/?q=valentines: accessed February 4, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hardin-Simmons University Library.

The Brand (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 16, Ed. 1, Friday, February 7, 1958, newspaper, February 7, 1958; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth98430/m1/4/?q=valentines: accessed February 4, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hardin-Simmons University Library.

The HSU Brand (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 20, Ed. 1, Saturday, February 16, 1946, newspaper, February 16, 1946; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth98211/m1/3/?q=valentines: accessed February 4, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hardin-Simmons University Library.