“Love is grand; divorce is a hundred grand.”
— Unknown
U R a QT! Bee My Valentine? The box of pre-cut Valentine’s Day cards spewed across the table, and I was in a bad mood. Mom had made the purchasing decision, and clearly she did NOT understand second-grade relationship rules. How could I stuff a card that said, I choo-choo-choose you, Valentine into an envelope and address it to Gary? He would think I liked him, and I didn’t. Not one bit. He had the cootiest of boy cooties.
Ah, The Grade School Years
Do you remember having to give a Valentine’s Day card to every person in your class? I do. It was torturous deciding which card should go to which classmate lest they think I had feelings that weren’t there. On the other hand, if I did have a teeny tiny crush on a boy, I hoped the Valentine I received from him indicated he liked me too. Any cards with a sucker attached were highbrow amazements. What farm family had the money to buy such extravagance? Slurp, slurp, slurp.
I also remember, as a class, decorating a box that was to hold the Valentine’s Day cards. Red and pink Kraft paper hearts and tissue paper made the humblest of brown boxes a thing of honor and beauty. It sat on the teacher’s desk, and each of us slid our cards into the narrow slot with great solemnity and furtive glances.
On the day of the Valentine’s party, the teacher would bring in cupcakes. At the appropriate time, she’d ceremoniously open the box and pass around the small white envelopes. I always chose to wait until I got home before opening mine. Heaven forbid someone gave me a mushy card and misread my expression. Cooties were not to be taken lightly on such an important day.
From My Midlife “Two Lips” to Yours.
I heard on the news tonight that 53% of women said they would leave their husband/partner/love interest if they did not receive a Valentine’s Day gift. As adults we’ve been conditioned to equate love with gifts, and preferably romantic gifts. A sucker glued to a card just doesn’t cut it anymore. Or does it?
Belinda Jensen, Kare 11’s meteorologist, said she’d rather have roses in August for no reason than a dozen expected roses on Valentine’s Day. I got her point but wondered if she’d feel disappointed if that happened.
For myself, I’m much more interested in the gleam in my husband’s eyes, or perhaps a poem he created expounding on his feelings for me. I don’t need “stuff,†but I do want romance. Make me feel special by your actions and not “buy†your actions, and I’ll do my best to do the same.
How about you? What do you remember about grade school Valentine’s Day cards? And what makes your heart swell on Valentine’s Day now? Please share below!
I remember decorating paper lunch bags and taping them on the sides of our desks and we went around putting our Valentine’s cards in each others bags the day of our party.
That’s a great idea. Private Valentine’s receptacles. It’s an interesting tradition–celebrating Valentine’s Day in school–but one I hope brings mostly happy memories. Thank you for sharing, Deb!
I don’t recall in elementary school having crushes on the boys in our class. And I don’t think any of them ever had a crush on me. They were like brothers. I remember being excited about the sweet treats. I love cake or at least the frosting. But that darn Sadie Hawkins dance in 7th or 8th grade. Gosh that was a frusteration. There was a pretty cool guy that was fairly new to us. I had a crush on him. I heard he turned down some girls who asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance because he was waiting for me to ask. Well heck. I wasn’t allowed to date until I was 16 so I sure wasn’t going to ask him. I told him I didn’t think I would be able to go. I was shocked when Mom said I could go but it was too late I thought to make amends and I was more than a little embarrassed. Too embarrassed to even go talk to him. And then the darn guy hung out with my brother and his friends all night. I guess I wasn’t really ready for those kind of Shenanagins yet.
Karla! I love that story! It comes as no surprise to me that he was crush’n on you. However, I’m impressed that you were respecting your parent’s wishes. I told my kids that I didn’t want them to date until they were sixteen. It felt right that they would have their driver’s licenses by then and more control if the date wasn’t working out. I think, if you asked them, that they had no issues waiting for possible “shenanigans.” Thanks for sharing!
I loved decorating the boxes or bags in elementary school to prepare for the cards. I even recall a special year there were prizes for the BEST decorated box. My mother is very talented and she made tatted flowers and hearts that I glued to my box as part of the overall design. Of course it was the box to be awarded a prize. Such JOY. That made the day a win regardless of the valentines or candies within.
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Regarding the art of appreciation, romance and seduction I personally feel that every day is Valentines Day if you are doing it right. I appreciate the random acts of Love in preparing me a meal and cleaning the kitchen. Flowers bought at inflated prices are not as special as a great deal and a spontaneous giving. We do not traditionally exchange gifts, but when something tickles my fancy, I will make sure to give to my Husband.
Yesterday I shared a sunrise with Bob and it was the best party of my day!
Nice job God. Beat that Hallmark 🙂
Mary Ann tatted flowers and hearts for your Valentine’s box? Wow! I keep the heart she tatted for me hanging near my desk. What a woman. Thanks for the lovely memory.
A sunrise between you and Bob. I can feel the love from here. You two are a forever example of romance, respect, and lust through the years.
You have captured the memories perfectly…I loved getting Valentine’s cards…I loved having crushes during that time of innocence in my Leave it to Beaver world…Oh, that could get me in trouble, I suppose…Now, over the years, yes, I really would rather have a bouquet of wild flowers, but even they somehow lose their luster in this frozen tundra. For me, a card, a sentiment, a cozy night at home, and yes, perhaps a little romance is far more dear than an expensive array of roses whose scent is undetectable…Thanks for another lovely blog post, Gail…
Beautifully stated, Laura! Another friend of mine said what she finds most romantic is having her love deeply listen to her. To have a conversation! I have long believed the fire of love is tended best by how you feel when with your partner. Special? Beautiful? Desired? It matters! Thanks for your thoughts, Laura.