Maybe it's because I have kids or maybe I'm just nostalgic, but on Valentine's Day I love going back in time to my grade school days. There was something so titillating about the classroom parties. The oversized envelopes or shoeboxes coated in glitter, candies, construction paper hearts, and doilies sat on each of our desks, empty yet hopeful.
Then, when the teacher gave word, we'd dig into our backpacks to get the valentines that we'd prepared for our classmates--usually store-bought, but always specifically selected for each kid based on how much we liked him/her--and distribute them while trying to keep an eye on how things were going for our own envelope/shoebox. At some point, we might slip into another classroom to hand a few out to our best friends, who, of course, were never lucky enough to be in our class. Some kids gave stickers, others gave entire boxes of conversation hearts. But at least here in the U.S. (I say that because my friend from South Africa says that they only give valentines to people they love), we gave valentines to all the kids in our class. I remember wanting to hurry through all the crafts and cookie-decorating stations that the parents set up and dig through my stack of valentines to see what a certain-special-someone gave me.
My earliest memory of getting something different (better) from that certain-special-someone is 4th grade. He gave me a chocolate-covered marshmallow heart, hand-delievered by his buddy. Of course, I chickened out and didn't give him the better-than-normal valentine I'd brought just in case, but that was the best Valentine's Day of my 9 year-old life.
The Buzz Girls want to make your day special, too! This whole week we'll be doing giveaways, so you'll want to check back every day and then again next Sunday when I'll announce all the winners. The prize I'm offering is a really cute bracelet I found in our local boutique, Chic Style. Perfect for yourself, or if you're a guy, that special girl in your life. All you need to do is share your earliest memory of a special V-day and I'll have my resident expert, my 9 year-old Romeo, who left a note in his crush's desk three days ago so he'd get first dibs on being her valentine, choose his favorite. (I'll have to get back with you on what she said because sadly, she's on vacation and hasn't seen the note yet.) Good luck, and Happy Valentine's Day!!!
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12 comments:
I don't really have any good memories of V-days, but I love your post...and I hope your Romeo gets his Juliette choice.
Ah, thanks Cheryl! The funny thing is, my son had another girl he was going to ask but he's liked one girl all year so I asked why he wasn't going to ask her. He said because the other girl would probably say yes. So my DH and I talked him into "going for it" with the one he's been crushing on, and that she might say no but it would be totally worth it if she didn't. :)
Oh, Wendy, so cute about your 9 year-old expert making a move early!
The first Feb. 14 that my husband and I were dating, we attempted to go out to dinner, and got turned away at restaurant after restaurant for no reservations. And that launched a tradition that we never, EVER go out on Valentine's Day to celebrate...we pick another day of the month when the restaurants aren't crowded!
That's smart, Tina! Matt and I do that on a lot of holidays; namely New Year's and V-day. In fact, he took me to my FAVORITE restaurant, which is in beautiful Park City, UT, last night (so the night before V-day). It's also easier to get a babysitter on a non-holiday night. :)
I remember wanting my Valentine's box to be the prettiest and always being bitterly disappointed at school the day everyone brought theirs in - some girl always was more sparkly, pink, etc. than me! My son will be 9 this week and luckily, he still thinks girls are "Gross, Mom!" Although he had a few special ones in his box Friday, so it proves once again that girls are just more advanced (and that he's a great catch)!
You mean I only have 2 years until my oldest starts crushing on girls?!?! Say it ain't so! I'll be waiting to see what the little girl's response is. ;)
Erica and Steph,
Yes I do think most girls start the whole "crush" process eariler than boys. That said, a lady I know has a son who's only in 1st grade and he came home with actual stars in his eyes, moaning "She's the prettiest girl in the whole wide world!" One of my favorite quotes by my 1st grader is "Don't tell Dad I like her, okay? He thinks girls are gross."
My biggest memory is one of just hoping I'd get a Valentine from the boys of my dreams, which I have sadly to say, most often didn't happen.
Oh no, Janie! I hope it's improved greatly since then.
Hope everyone had an awesome day!!!
What a cute story, Wendy. I'm sure that hand-warmed marshmallow treat was delicious. ;)
Happy V-day!
I'm in an all girls school so I never celebrated Valentine's Day until I met my boyfriend in my 20's. On our first Valentine's Day together, he surprised me by renting a car and taking me up on a drive to a mountain resort. Then he snuck out a giant stuffed bear from the trunk of the car and gave it to me.
I married him :D
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