Every February, the United States erupts into a pink‑and‑red spectacle of roses, heart‑shaped everything, and a booming $20‑billion‑plus economy of affection. Valentine’s Day here is a cultural juggernaut—part romance, part commercial ritual, part social expectation. Yet for all its distinctly American flair, the holiday is really a patchwork quilt stitched together from global traditions, ancient customs, and modern reinvention. What makes the U.S. version so fascinating is