You’ve Got Mail

I love Valentine’s Day!

Now I know this holiday can be a love or strongly disliked day, so let me explain… I love valentine’s day, quite possibly, for the reason that most parents don’t like it and are quite possibly “over it” today. For me it’s the excitement of children, little mailboxes built by little hands, crafts, and hand written cards, and school parties (although I didn’t see or hear of many this year 😕 has our world banned these too?!?) Now all the adult hoopla, I could absolutely live the rest of my life without! Too much pressure and too much drama!

You see, I was the kid that would buy valentines the moment they hit the shelves! No matter how many times my parents gently suggesting so graciously, “don’t you want to wait and see all your options.” I was determined to get them ASAP! I’m sure I second guessed myself many times throughout the years when I realized I rushed my decision- but the decision had been made and my parents helped me learn I needed to stick to my decision, and so I did! Life lesson learned and stored! 😊

Looking back I must have unconsciously knew that days like Valentines day, meant a little less brain fog, smidge less struggle, more worksheets- which usually worked in my favor/learning style and I could color them in! I don’t know but I was always excited when a holiday we could bring something in to exchange or display.

One Valentine’s day school class party I remember well, because my mom was one of the mom’s in charge of the party! (Quick pause: My mom is very artistic and creative- she doesn’t let people in on this little secret of hers because she doesn’t believe it herself most of the time. Most all of my displays for Indeed are imagined and created by my Mom!) My mom and the other mom signed up for this party because both of them always joked that they weren’t creative and all the other moms were- so there would be no competition – just two moms having a valentine’s party. 😂❤️ They BOTH underestimated themselves! Out of all the class parties I had in all my school years, I only remember this one in detail! It was the best party ever!!!

Everyone had mini picnic baskets with conversation hearts fabric lined the basket. I remember little sandwiches and cupcakes or cookies all in our picnic baskets. I was so proud of my mom – not that she had impressed anyone (although she did) but that she used her awesomeness to come up with this idea! I remember beaming and her beaming. And honestly, we have reminisced about this every year since, with how much joy it brought. And how I still remember how she completely knocked it out of the park with her creativity and the little picnic baskets!

This party and little picnic baskets had such an impact on me, that when I helped with my niece’s birthday party, we used the same idea! Except with cowgirl fabric 😊 The baskets were much harder to find – I sure do miss the Nickel and Dime and local craft stores! (Roberts, Janet’s – for those of you who are local)

At the heart of why I love valentines day is this: to a child, valentines should be as exciting as getting the first ones you see! It should spark a light-heartedness in them that excites them about friendship, loving and caring for one another, and no further thought than this.

Note: We adults should be ashamed of ourselves when we take this holiday (or any day) and speed up a child’s life and start matchmaking or teasing about crushes. Don’t pressure kids into couple relationships- they already have to face way too much!!! Don’t do this on any day – I beg you! I personally know and have watched people get “matched up” unwillingly or teasing that just goes too far and the results are broken and sometimes non-existent relationships.

What this time of year SHOULD remind us of, is the simple act of sitting down with children and helping assemble or make valentines and having conversations. This is a perfect time to talk to children about their friends, how they can show them love and kindness, and also reinforce what we should look for in a friend and how we can be a friend. As children grow older, be interested in their friends- ask questions – what do you look for in a friend? what are their interests? As they get older and they want to talk about boyfriend or girlfriend relationships – ask questions – what do you like? how did you meet? What is a quality that stands out?

Note: I am advocating for the start of these important conversations AND the continuing conversations! So don’t let yourself settle for surface conversations- when the situation allows, speak up and speak truth! As with any life altering conversation, speak truth- do not argue, or scream, or fight – and listen well- with calm countenance. Arguing and screaming will get you no where, this is when you need to walk away – listening well and speaking truth is the way to understanding each other – not a guarantee of agreeing, but leading to better understanding.

Life Book of the Week: How Much is a Little Girl Worth? by Jacob and Rachael Denhollander, How much is a Little Boy Worth? by Jacob and Rachael Denhollander

Today’s picture: My Little Valentine 💝 I determined that these stickers frightened her because of their size – so we did away with the others – but now we get a good laugh every time we look back at these pictures and her big brown eyes!