Valentine’s Day is a time for love, chocolate, and candlelit moments. But what if we told you that some of your favorite Valentine’s Day traditions and treats may not be as you remember them? Here are four Valentine’s-themed Mandela Effects that might surprise you—and a fun fact about a popular dessert!
1. Russell Stover or Russell Steven?

Many people remember the famous chocolate brand being called Russell Steven, but in reality, it has always been Russell Stover. Could it be that our memories have played tricks on us, or did something change along the way?
Just learned that the company that makes assorted chocolate is Russell Stover not Russell Steven #scriptisconfusing
— Mike Bernechea (@MikeBernechea) February 14, 2014
MANDELA EFFECT UPDATE: ITS RUSSELL STOVER NOT RUSSELL STEVEN (IS THIS JUST ME I SWEAR ITS A MANDELA EFFECT)
— Kaelynn (@imkaelynnp) April 18, 2017
@shanedawson ive got some mandela effect… for years i thought russell stover chocolate was russell stevens…. ummm when did it become russell stover
— mëdusa 🖤 (@rand0mbella) April 2, 2018
this entire time i thought russell stover chocolates were called russell stevens… mandela effect or am i big buggin???
— ( ಠ ಠ ) (@shannensays) February 14, 2019
@KendallRaeOnYT @janelle_fields_ WAIT! did i just discover a mandela effect or have i just been wrong! apparently, the chocolate company is Russell Stover, NOT Russell Steven?! pic.twitter.com/1K477FJjxB
— Julia (@Jules_0486) February 17, 2021
2. Ghirardelli or Ghiradelli?

This high-end chocolate brand is another source of confusion. Many people distinctly recall the spelling as Ghiradelli—with just one “r.” However, the correct spelling has always been Ghirardelli, with two “r’s.” How did so many of us get it wrong?
just realized that the chocolate’s spelled “ghirardelli” and not “ghiradelli” is this the mandela effect
— log (@humanmullet) March 29, 2022
@shanedawson I strictly remember the chocolate brand Ghiradelli NOT Ghirardelli MANDELA EFFECT BITCH
— Dr. Swank (@swankycatdong) April 15, 2018
mandela effect: i thought it was ghiradelli but it’s actually ghirardelli pic.twitter.com/Y6yrQAhy13
— skye (@rinskye) November 23, 2017
3. Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In the World)” Lyrics
This one is especially bizarre. Many fans swear the lyrics in Rihanna’s hit song said, “I want you to love me like I’m a hot pie.” But if you look up the official lyrics, she actually sings, “I want you to love me like I’m a hot ride.” Was this just a case of mishearing, or was there an alternate version we somehow remember?
can't believe that rihanna never actually said "I want you to love me, like I'm a hot pie" like wtf mandela effect much
— darby (@lil_deeblez) May 2, 2024
Since 2010…I’ve been singing “I want you to love me like I’m a hot pie”…today I found out it’s “hot ride”…
— Hellerhasaheart (@GeraldHeller6) August 25, 2024
I ❤️ me for that
and I 💯 feel Rihanna will too @rihanna
Always thought the Rihanna lyric was " I want you to love me, Like I'm a hot pie" to find that it's not that is a lot to take in 😭😭#Strictly
— Jay Warne (@JayHWarne) November 19, 2022
OKAY. Why aren’t the lyrics “I want you to love me like I’m a hot PIE.” Not “ride”. In Rihanna’s hit song “Only girl”. I’ve been singing it wrong my whole life.
— Scarlett Bitch🦇 (@HalloweenQueeny) September 12, 2021
Wow, all these years and I always thought Rihanna was singing 'I want you to love me, like I'm a hot pie.' 😳
— Charlotte Lydia Hudson (@charlielydiaxo) March 18, 2017
4. Sex and the City vs. Sex in the City

This one is a classic Mandela Effect. Many fans remember the hit HBO series as Sex in the City, but it has always been Sex and the City. Strangely, there are perfume bottles labeled Sex in the City, making the memory even more puzzling.
@shanedawson Okay so I was rewatching your conspiracy/Mandela effect videos and saw the Mandela effect of sex and the city/sex in the city.. so I decided to look at my perfume bottle and this is what I found.. I'm not sure if I'm way to late to the party but this freaks me out pic.twitter.com/EllGHO9W4D
— Pagan Rose (@_paganrose_) February 18, 2018
@shanedawson so you know the sex and the city Mandela effect… this is my girlfriends perfume… pic.twitter.com/rx0XqUgH1c
— stacie's storytimes ♡ (@Staciesstories) November 15, 2017
@shanedawson Ik the Mandela effect is old but I just found this perfume sooo..(please tag him so he sees)#MandelaEffect pic.twitter.com/by88NKCVhL
— mollie (@mollietoftx) August 16, 2017
Totally now believe in Mandela Effect.. perfume bottle clealy says SEX IN THE CITY and not sex and the city #mandelaeffect pic.twitter.com/lq8KzLFdQx
— cassie bradshaw (@ItsCassiePike) October 23, 2016
@shanedawson
— jordyn 🌙 (@heartslux) August 30, 2016
just watched ur conspiracy theory on the Mandela effect & I found my old sex IN the city perfume…wtf? pic.twitter.com/JHoWx2AfPa
Bonus Fact: The Truth About Red Velvet Cake

This last one isn’t a Mandela Effect, but it’s still a fun fact worth mentioning! Many people assume that Red Velvet Cake is made from unique ingredients that give it its signature color. In reality, it’s simply chocolate cake with red food coloring. Did you know that before food coloring became common, the cake’s red hue came from a reaction between cocoa powder and acidic ingredients like vinegar or buttermilk?
Honestly I feel like Red Velvet Cake is part of the Mandela effect… like how is it just chocolate?!
— Brittany J. (@Bjl819) April 16, 2019
No way red velvet is just chocolate cake with coloring 😭..I always thought something special was added to red velvet.
— Small Madam🌹 (@Aishashaibu__) February 9, 2023
I still cannot believe how red velvet cake is just RED COLORED CHOCOLATE CAKE. This is some bullshit. Idk what I thought red velvet was but definitely not fucking chocolate.
— Jaymagana.eth (@JayMagana_) March 16, 2022
so my whole life was a lie ?? i thought red velvet cake was made of raspberries and cherries that's why i never tried it but it's just chocolate cake with added colour ???
— 🎐 (@wonyfairies) February 12, 2022
today i learn at the ripe age of 21 that red velvet cake does have cocoa in it and is technically chocolate cake … i thought that flavour was supposed to be red velvet … what the hell 😭
— world's cutest homunculus (´・ω・`) (@cutiehappiness) February 19, 2021
Whether you’re indulging in chocolates, or reminiscing about your favorite shows and songs this Valentine’s Day, these little memory mysteries are sure to spark some fun conversation. Have you experienced any of these Mandela Effects? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️