Imagine yourself back in elementary school on Feb. 14. It’s Valentine’s Day and you couldn’t be more excited. Neither the parties at school nor the cute Disney character cards from your friends excite you the most, though. It’s the candy inside the cards or the box of chocolates your parents left for you on the table that morning. What would Valentine’s Day be without candy?

Valentine’s Day was first established to honor St. Valentine, a third century priest of Rome. St. Valentine had nothing to do with the addition of candy to the holiday though.

One theory of how the tradition began dates back to the 1800s, according to Sugar Stand, an online candy store. Nineteenth century doctors used to suggest chocolate as an unorthodox prescription for their heartbroken patients. The effects of the chocolate were hoped to soothe their emotions.

It is no secret that consuming chocolate can have promising effects on one’s body. Chocolate has been used as an aphrodisiac for many centuries. So one can imagine why it would be introduced as a compliment to Valentine’s Day, a day of love. It’s no wonder why it has become a tradition if chocolate can help invoke romance and feisty behavior. Even Casanova ate chocolate instead of drinking champagne to stimulate romance.

No matter how the tradition of candy was introduced, it doesn’t change the fact that Valentine’s Day just wouldn’t be the same without it. Here are some interesting facts about Valentine’s Day candy from the National Confectioners Association:

• About 8 billion candy hearts will be produced this year. That’s enough candy to stretch from Rome to Valentine, Ariz. 20 times and back again.

• Chocolate and candy sales reach profits of $1,011 billion during Valentine’s Day, according to Insider Reports.

• More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine’s Day.

• Children receive 39 percent of all Valentine’s Day candy and gifts. Following them are wives/mothers (36 percent), fathers/husbands (6 percent), grandparents (3 percent) and pets (1 percent).

• Valentine’s Day is the fourth biggest holiday of the year for confectionery purchases, after Halloween, Easter and Christmas.