Be My Valentine

Today is February 14 and you know what that means. Cards and chocolate; flowers and food. It is the annual day we celebrate looooooooove.

However you choose to celebrate this day – or survive it – I hope that you have a Valentine somewhere and that you are able to spend a moment to confirm that essential human emotion. Or at least that you get a good bite of a tasty confection.

On one of the morning shows, one of the personalities mentioned the practice many of us engaged in as kids – when we dressed up shoe boxes to serve as collection points for the classroom Valentine card exchange. I’m not sure why students aren’t allowed to do this these days. Back in the day, it was great fun.

Personalizing your own ‘mail box’ was almost as fun as getting the contents from inside.

As for the cards, themselves, they presented you a chance to make a great personal statement.

If you were a Scooby Doo fan, your card might wish the recipient a ‘Rappy Ralentine’s Ray,’ or perhaps a Hot Wheels car enthusiast would wish someone would ‘Zoom’ their way to a great day. “Happy Days” cards might feature The Fonz telling someone “Ayyyyyy - The Fonz wants you to ‘Be My Valentine!”

A trip to the local supermarket – and I suspect this part still holds true – was great fun.

But the classroom celebration, marked by a collection of cards and candy, was one of the highlights of the year, strategically located between Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday! The heart-shaped lollypops were always a treat.

Of course, that type of celebration was a mere moment in time. By the time we all got to Middle School, everyone turned awkward and then, the day, was more arduous.

In High School, there was a return to normalcy, somewhat, with the annual Valentine’s Dance and the practice of sending color coded carnations (Red for love, White for friend and Pink for secret admirer). It was a great fundraiser for SGA (or some similar organization). I remember contributing to their coffers more than once.

These days, the FHS chorus has a great program called “Singing Valentines.” Ensemble members fan out across the school to deliver a melodic message to that special someone for a nominal fee. It’s a great way to send a greeting and help a great cause.

As for me, personally, I got some tasty candy and lovely cards and, more important, some nice expressions of love from my family.

Outside, it was a beautiful day. Inside, there was a lot of genuine warmth.

JG

Originally posted 2/14/2013