Valentine’s Day has always been one of those iffy holidays for me. The importance of it to me has waxed and waned over the years.My earliest memory of Valentine’s Day was sitting at the kitchen table early one weekend morning with my older brother and sister. Our parents were still asleep and we were industriously making Valentines for them. I was in kindergarten and needed some assistance making the shape of a heart. My sister wouldn’t help so I sat and I waited. My brother, who was is 8th grade, told me that a real heart is about the shape and size as your fist. So I traced my fist, cut it out, and glued it to my card for my parents. I’m sure they had no idea what they were looking at when they opened their Valentine. Perhaps they were wondering if they needed to have a psychological screening done on me.
All through elementary school I creatively decorated my “mailbox” that sat on my desk to receive the store bought Valentines that my classmates and I exchanged. In high school I always hoped that a secret admirer would send me one of the carnations that the National Honor Society sold on Valentine’s Day. I got one once but it was from a friend of mine wishing me to feel better after having mono. Oh well.
Then there was college. My mother was ever faithful and sent me the red-foiled-wrapped chocolate hearts I loved from my favorite candy store back home. But I was really excited because my freshman year in college was the first Valentine’s Day that I had a serious boyfriend. I knew it would be the most romantic day EVER!
Guess what. I can’t remember a darn thing. Blast those brain termites. Last night I texted my college boyfriend (yes, we’re friends on Facebook) to ask him. The only thing he can remember is that we went out to an Italian restaurant.
Once Mr. A and G-Man came into my life, they were always my Valentines and they still are. They’re teenagers now and yet again they’re going to get a funny & sappy card from their mother.
My Sweetie and I met in the month of March. By the time our first Valentine’s Day came around we had been together for almost a full year. We had been talking about the future and marriage. That first Valentine’s night we stayed in and cooked dinner together. I really thought a ring and a proposal would be part of the evening. Nope. What my Sweetie lacks in romance he makes up for in practicality. He gave me a funny card and a little stuffed dog that night. I believe G-Man quickly made the stuffed dog his own.
S and I still exchange funny cards every Valentine’s Day because well, it’s fun. But other than that, we don’t fall into the hype and commercialism created by the florists, greeting card industry, jewelers, restaurants, and candy makers.
We have our own ways of telling each other how much we love each other every single day. We don’t need the calendar to remind us.
What’s your most memorable Valentine’s Day?
This week I participated in the Spin Cycle hosted by Sprite’s Keeper. For more spins on Valentine’s Day visit Sprite’s Keeper.
9 comments:
I'm trying to remember my first V-Day with John and for some reason, green daisies keep coming to mind. I think we had just gotten engaged and he was trying to combine my favorite flower with my favorite color. He's very good about remembering Valentine's Day and I usually have to work very hard to even make it LOOK like I put as much thought into my gifts for him. :-)
You're linked and welcome to the Spin Cycle!
My Valentine's Days in High School and college went a lot like yours. After marriage well I'll just say C is not one for making romantic gestures. Plus he is usually gone on one mission or the other. So again like you L has become my Valentine and still at 16 gets goofy cards from mom. This will not stop when he gets older.
Have to add that I still get cards from my parents. Not just one card from both of them. My Dad always makes a point of going to the Hallmark store and picking out very special cards for each one of his 3 girls. He writes a message in them and address them and takes them to the post office all on his own. Funny thing is my mom had no idea he was doing this for several years till one of my sisters said something about dad signing both cards (his and hers). He never told her. Yep my Dad will always be my first and bestest Valentine.
oh gosh...husband will LOVE this post. he feels the same about v-day. i, however, love to capitalize on the whole thing. but i've given up at this point. i will never win the v-day tug of war.
You guys sound like Dirt Man and I. Every day love IS the best kind!
Beloved and I hadn't known each other very long when our first Valentine's Day came along, but we were both over-the-moon SMITTEN with each other. I got the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers and taken to one of the swankiest restaurants in town - the kind with the violinist who will come to your table and serenade you.
Since then, V-Day has been kinda "meh", but like you that's okay. He shows me how much he loves me every day. And that's how it should be.
I like the memories. We're busy putting the finishing touches on LG's first Valentine box. He's very excited. Home made cards from the kids are better than anything Hallmark could think up, in my book.
Happy Valentine's Day!
My earliest memories of valentines day was trying to remember the names of all the kids in my class at school. Back then they did not send home class lists. I guess you were just supposed to know. My first with Nick, hmm, no specific memories, I guess because we started dating at the end of February and I was more focused on that. I think he got me a rose. Now we make a good dinner at home and avoid the crowds at the restaurants.
I can't tell you that I remember one valentines, more than another- but I do recall my ex husband pitching a fit about having to eat a forced menu and having to pay for dinner that night. He was an ass.
Stopping by from the Spin Cycle…
I may have to confirm this, but I think my wife (who was an EKG technician at the time) gave me a small wooden box for a Valentine's present. Inside was an EKG printout and written below it said: "You have my heart"
How amazingly clever of her.
Thank you for your spin,
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