Our old friend Wikipedia says that Valentine’s Day “first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines“).

Valentine’s Day here in the states generally means dinner at a nice restaurant, flowers, candy – well, you know – you’ve lived it.  But how do people in other countries celebrate this day of love?  Do they celebrate?  Yes!  And in wide and varied ways!  Read on:

CNN says that “Thai women flock to the Trimurti shrine where they lay red roses, candles and incense at the feet of the Hindu deity and pray for a hubby.”

In Guatemala City, the holiday isn’t just for kids.  Both locals and tourists  dress up in feathered masks or vivid Mayan attire and partake in Old Love, a senior citizens’ parade – love that!!!

Valentinstag, as it’s called in Germany, is a special day of sweets, with a German twist..special giant gingerbread cookies  “with a ribbon attached so young men can drape the desserts around the shoulders of their sweethearts.”  Not so sure that I want to wear a cookie all day.  Could be kinda creepy – plus – I have a dog!

The holiday isn’t accepted everywhere in Iraq, but the country still has some of its own traditions.  Iraqi Kurds believe in a feast of love. Specifically, that “the preservation of a red apple with cloves representing Adam and Eve’s story, will bring prosperity and love,”  according to The Atlantic.

(SABAH ARAR/AFP/Getty Images)