Valentines Day

     

Screen shot of a Jacquie Lawson Animated card

     It's Valentines Day-not that I do much to celebrate it. If you do, I hope you enjoy. I liked it as a child and as a parent. The cheesy little cards bought in bundles, then carefully put together with a sucker or mini candy bar. One year I hit a great deal on the conversation heart boxes for both the older kids and those were their give away for the school Valentine's exchange, but we cut out assorted pink, red, and purple hearts to attach as the tag. With the youngest, I think we used fruit chews or fruit by the foot as the treat, though not at all healthier than candy but it felt like it was. 

     The grandmas got into Valentines action. My mom had a lot of grandchildren, but she'd buy the individually wrapped Russell Stover heart for each of them. The other grandma, not near the numbers of grandkids my mom had, but to this day sends a card with a $5 bill in it. Quite appreciated when the kids were in college. I have no grandchildren and I don't bother with the large number of great nieces and nephews. 

     My friends who I've known since birth, two who were widowed younger than I was, gave me a bouquet of flowers that first Valentines Day and took me out for dinner earlier in the week. It was very appreciated. I've bought myself flowers the last two years and bought a simple bouquet yesterday as well. It is a real day, but as a holiday, Valentines is made up manufactured nonsense to be honest. It serves as a point of sadness for many who are without much love in their life. While I avoid the romantic side of it, I'll appreciate in spirit that love comes in all shapes and sizes, including trying to love myself.

Comments

  1. Sue in SuffolkFebruary 14, 2026 at 7:44 AM

    We never bothered with Valentines stuff- in all our 38 years - or anniversaries - always seemed a waste of money when we were on a tight budget with 3 children and mortgage and wanting a smallholding - and once we had the smallholding, children grown and no mortgage it seemed a bit late to start!

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  2. GinaFebruary 14, 2026 at 7:59 AM

    I decided to be my own Valentine, although I do feel like this is a candy holiday. I took treats to my co-workers and make two burlap bags of treats for my besties. I bought myself a heart charm for my bracelet and made myself a good dinner last night. I probably will not acknowledge it any further than that.

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