Tradition. Many students at Patrick M. Villano School have a favorite tradition associated with Valentine’s Day.
“On Valentine’s Day, my tradition with my family is that we order pizza and we exchange gifts,” Demi Paradis, a fifth-grader, said.
Many people celebrate February 14 with sweets like chocolates or other small gifts like candles and stuffed animals. Layla Robayo loves to write and deliver individual cards to her classmates at school. She also looks forward to special treats at home.
“My favorite tradition for Valentine’s Day is when my dad comes home and brings chocolate strawberries,” Robayo said.
According to one story, the holiday is named after a Roman priest who secretly helped couples marry. Emperor Claudius II of Rome supposedly said the best soldiers were unmarried men. National Geographic Kids online states that Valentine thought this was unjust. He quietly married couples, but he was caught and punished on February 14 for disobeying the law.
