Today, because I’m super busy at work (5 meetings in 2 days, my friends) I’m sharing bits of a post I wrote a few years ago about Valentine’s Day. It’s still appropriate and still truly speaks to my feelings about this particular holiday.
I know that for some people this is not a day to celebrate and I understand. However, I grew up with a mom who celebrated every holiday and Valentine’s Day was one of her favorites. She decorated the house with red paper hearts. She bought and sent lots of cards. She sang “Won’t You Be My Valentine” and she asked everyone she loved to be her Valentine – not just my dad. We even got presents for Valentine’s Day. And I don’t mean candy I mean presents – usually pajamas and a book or two for my brothers and I, my dad always got a new tie, and we all got our own heart shaped box of chocolates, too. My mom always cooked a special dinner for all of us and we celebrated L-O-V-E as a family. Sure, she and my dad did their own thing, too, but there was always a family component to the day. It was something we all looked forward to as a way to break up the mid-winter blahs.
My particular take on the holiday has been slightly different and over the years I have wondered if I have lived up to my mom’s legacy when it comes to Valentine’s Day. I do ask everyone I love to be my Valentine and I do decorate the house for the holiday. I don’t buy presents, but I do always get Hannah a box of chocolates. And I have always emphasized that this is a day about the people you love, whether it’s love for a friend, a child, a brother or sister, a husband or a partner, it’s just about L-O-V-E. But you know, as most parents do, I wondered if my philosophy about this day was being understood.
Well.
I don’t have to wonder anymore because the other night Hannah told me she was discussing Valentine’s Day with a friend of hers. This particular friend has a boyfriend right now and she was remarking on how much better Valentine’s Day is with a partner and how depressing it is without one. You know what my baby girl said? She said, “Valentine’s Day is about all kinds of love and the one and only Valentine that truly matters to me is my mom. She has always made Valentine’s Day awesome for me because it’s a day about the people you love.”
How about that. She gets it.
Right on, Hannah.
And of course, despite the meetings and the campaign trail, tonight there will be cream puffs.
Your story just makes me smile! Happy L-O-V-E and Cream Puff Day to you, my friend!
XO
My mom also had a pretty wide embrace for Valentines Day. And my box of Valentines love arrived on their porch yesterday. Happy Valentines Day to you this busy day.
Inclusiveness for all kinds of love and all the people you love is a wonderful legacy, and of course, cream puffs, too!
I think this year, we all need a reminder to celebrate love! Happy Valentine’s Day, Carole XO
Happy Valentine’s Day Carole and here’s to L-O-V-E and cream puffs!
thank you Carole for having just the right post at the right time…. Sharon
My mom used to stop at this old-school German bakery on her way home and buy cupcakes for my dad and me. I was amazed by them—TONS of frosting and decorated with roses & leaves. I thought they were so beautiful and loved all that sugary stuff, as a seven or eight year old girl would.
I still miss that old bakery—not for the sweets, but because they also baked real bread.
I also remember the year my dad and some really huge black guy almost got into a fist fight in the drug store over the last fancy box of candy they had left—I remember the other guy saying, “You don’t understand—I can’t go home without this,” and my dad refusing to let go of the box. (Both were fueled with intense desperation.) The lady pharmacist saved the day by coming up with another box from somewhere in the backroom—I think that guys’ kids were as relieved as I was.
thank you for reminding me of something my mom used to do also. My relationship with my mother has been very strained for many years and I needed a positive thing to focus on. She’s 94 so I guess I should appreciate her while I can?, and yes, you are so right about including all kinds of love. Xoxo
My mom wasn’t one to make a lot of Valentines Day. The best part was at school where we gave cards to all of our classmates!
We didn’t celebrate V-Day at my house at all when I was growing up. So, we don’t do that much here now. But it is about love, all kinds of love, and it is lovely that you have passed that along to Hannah. I remembered your cream puff tradition, and if I remember correctly, the last time I made them, they were somewhat of a bother, so you really do love the people you make them for without a doubt! Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!
You still came through with cream puffs!? You’re the bomb! xox