From the archives: Valentine's Day

After her classmates returned to class Carolyn Hastings, 5, sits on the stage at her school with her 13,600 valentines. Hastings was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder had to be home schooled and just returned from a hospital in Cincinnati. Her teacher Elisha Brown decided to try and collect 1,000 valentines for her since she missed the actual day from school and ended up the over 13,600 valentines. Michael Patrick, MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL

A nurse hugs Ellie Howe, left, at Park West Hospital on February 11, 1985, while Frances Baker hugs another nurse after the two gave a "singing valentine" on behalf of a relative dying of cancer. Howe said her aunt, Coralee Baker, 69, of Powell, has been in the hospital for about six weeks with cancer and Monday was only expected to live another 24 hours. Two singers had performed one song for the nurses when Baker's family donated another. The "singing valentines" were given by volunteers of the American Cancer Society as a fundraiser going on this week. Photo by Frank Breithaupt News Sentinel Photo Archive

Principal Jim Kirk (right) greets Daniel Paine, 11, of Alcoa on his way to delivering valentines to his colleagues at Alcoa Middle School Friday, Feb. 13, 2015. Kirk will be retiring from the school after 39 years at the end of the school year. Jessica Tezak, JESSICA TEZAK/NEWS SENTINEL

Blue Grass Elementary students Jessica Roberts, left, Mary Hirst and Brittany Reeves react to the screeching of a heart-shaped balloon as it was filled with helium on Tuesday at the school. The valentine balloons were sold by students as a fund raiser for the student council. The money will be spent on school projects. Cathy Clarke, Knoxville News-Sentinel

Tammy Crawford, owner of Flowers by Tammy, Allison Shoemaker and Donna Hood prepare arrangements for customers for Valentine's Day on February 14, 1996. The shop is making 2,000 roses into arrangements. Crawford said, "the wives get the roses and the kids get the candy and bears." Photo by Michael Patrick News Sentinel Photo Archive

Pam Davis of Maryville does her shopping for Valentine's Day at the Kroger on Hall Road on February 13, 1994. Her three-year-old son, Matthew, will be the recipient of this large balloon. Matthew himself will be giving his grandmothers candy for Valentine's Day according to his mother. Photo by Paul Efird News Sentinel Photo Archive

Principal Jim Kirk (right) delivers a valentine to fifth grade social studies teacher Tim Russell at Alcoa Middle School Friday, Feb. 13, 2015. Kirk said he concerns himself with the happiness of his teachers because it directly affects the quality of the children's education. Jessica Tezak, JESSICA TEZAK/NEWS SENTINEL

Leonard Bell may not wear his heart on his sleeve but he certainly displays his Valentines sentiments prominently on his 1989 Dodge truck on February 9, 1995. The U.S. Postal Service employee's Valentine to his wife of 35 years, Mary, is fabricated from Plexiglass and has internal lights for night driving. Bell said he also has created similar mobile displays for Easter, Christmas and Halloween. Photo by Paul Efird News Sentinel Photo Archive

Michael Lotter, a student at Maryville High, purchases roses for his Valentine at Flowerama in Foothills Mall on February 14, 1990. Brenda Elliott takes the order which is destined for Pam Vaughn who attends William Blount High School. Photo by Paul Efird News Sentinel Photo Archive

Pat Ryan, right, and Olive Samuelson of Hartman's Flowers in Maryville prepare roses Tuesday for delivery on Valentine's Day on February 13, 1992. Hartman's owner, George Province, says the period around Valentine's Day is his busiest with 13 trucks making over 2,000 deliveries in Blount, Knox and Loudon counties. Photo by Paul Efird News Sentinel Photo Archive