Valentine's Day Memory

Valentine's Day has always been a favorite.  One of my most vivid memories of this holiday of hearts, romance and  endless expressions of love goes back to the third grade.  I can still hear the the grinding of the pencil sharpener and the smell of glue as excited classmates talked about their design ideas for the festive mailboxes we were all about to make.  Our boxes were so important to the enticement of the card giver.  I was confident my box would lure the prized "Be Mine" from the one.  The one boy that is who I did not find to be offensive or annoying, but rather fun and likeable.  Glitter would be my secret weapon! I labored over the box and felt so proud.  As soon as the boxes were complete, there was a flurry of moving bodies accompanied by huge amounts of giggling while we shoved our folded messages into the tops of each pink and red heart plastered shoebox.  When it came time to open our boxes there was a big problem.  A very big problem.  It seems that there was indeed such a thing as too much glitter and glue!  When I was finally able to pry my box open and tear off the cards stuck to the top...I found the one, from the one!  Only it was ripped.  He saw this and said "you're stupid".

Of course, I have no recollection of what I said back.  I would like to think it was something clever.  I only know I did not cry over it.  I also know it did not dampen my spirit in even the smallest way to impact my affection for this holiday.  It was always a highlight my when children were younger and went through the same rituals of box making and card giving.  I have shared my story with them and of course they laughed!  I still enjoy the sparkle of glitter and the act of giving the perfect card.  These are my favorites.  I hope just the right one is here for you! 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!