Founded in 1847 by Oliver Chase, the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) first introduced the imprinted hearts in 1866. The predecessor to the stamped hearts were scalloped-shell candies, known as "cockles," inside of which were tucked colored strips of paper with affectionate sayings printed on them. In that sense, the Conversation Hearts' origin can be likened to the Chinese fortune cookie. Original sayings that are still included on the candies—which are known by the brand name Sweethearts—today include "Be Mine," "Be Good," "Be True," "Kiss Me," and "Sweet Talk."

The oldest continuously run, multi-line candy company in the US, NECCO's classic lineup of products includes NECCO Wafers, Haviland Thin Mints, Mighty Malts Malted Milk Balls, and Mary Jane and Clark bars. It's probably best known, however, for its original Sweethearts Conversation Hearts. In the six weeks leading up to Valentine's Day each year, the company produces eight billion of the sugary sweets, making them the top-selling non-chocolate Valentine's Day treat in the country.

Compare the number-one boxed-chocolate manufacturer, Russell Stover—which brings in US$ 500 million in sales annually—with NECCO's annual sales of $100 million, and it's obvious that the candy maker who would be Cupid shoots a mighty profitable arrow. Now factor in the average $0.99 cost of a bag of Sweethearts with the $9.99 price tag of a Russell Stover chocolate box (according to a recent ad from CVS/pharmacy) and NECCO is a clear-cut winner in terms of volume sales.

The company leverages its value pricing by highlighting its longstanding reputation within its brand. The NECCO logo flaunts an old-world font and dubs itself as "an American classic." The "Fine Candy Since 1847" tagline further solidifies the company's good-old-days image.

Although its heart-shaped candies are still as popular as ever, NECCO has not sat back and rested on its laurels when it comes to its Sweethearts' sentiments. Each year, it launches a set of ten new sayings that center on a theme. Last year's theme revolved around a celebration of warmth, comfort, and tradition of home and family, with contemporary phrases like "House Party" and "ILU" as well as more traditional adages like "Home Run" and "Sweet Home" both being represented. This year, the sayings will pay tribute to America's love of pets, with animal-inspired sentiments like "Cool Cat," "Puppy Love," and "Bear Hug" being added to the cooing lovebird mix.

For those who'd like to make their message a little more personal, NECCO even offers custom-imprinted Sweethearts. The caveat: You must be willing to purchase a full production run of the Conversation Hearts. That equates to 3,500 pounds, or 1.6 million individual hearts. With that many reminders, who could ever doubt the true intentions of such a love-crazed gift bearer?

Although NECCO makes a few tweaks each year, two things have remained constant for the brand: the basic Sweetheart recipe has never changed from its original 1866 incarnation and the way the candies are made is still one and the same. Conversation Hearts come in two sizes: the 1/2-inch small and the 3/4-inch large varieties. Seven colors and flavors, like cherry pink, banana yellow, and wintergreen white, fill the variety packages. And with only three to six calories apiece, the fat- and sodium-free concoction is the perfect romantic treat for even the most health-conscious valentine.

Although the valentine has evolved over the past century from handwritten notes and mass-produced greeting cards to singing telegrams and emailed expressions of love, the heart-shaped box of chocolates and the Conversation Hearts endure as the most-recognized symbols of February 14. But while the heart-shaped box is a generic container manufactured by a quiver-full of companies, NECCO's Sweethearts brand continues—as one of the candy's messages pleads—to "Be True."

Kathy Kehrli is the Creative Director of TheFlawlessWord.com, a freelance writing and editorial service. She fondly remembers slipping a NECCO candy heart into her 8th-grade crush's hand. Unfortunately, neither the candy nor the crush led to true romance.