Victorians Say “I Love You”

Victorians Say “I Love You”

It’s Valentine’s Day! Millennials (and old folks like me) understand society’s expectations of how committed couples acknowledge Valentine’s, and how expression of love is done (or we believe should be done). But what about our Victorian ancestors?

How did Victorian Americans say “I love you”? …Or, did they?

Did advice of the era shed light on such matters?

Victorian Era Valentine’s Day

Victorian Era Valentine’s Day

The Victorian Era was a time of Romanticism: flowery language, love letters as a part of courtship; and Valentine’s Day! Expectations and societal norms during the latter 19th century was filled with some traditions we recognize today, and some we might not.