On Valentine's Day

When I was in high school, I wore black and protested the stupid made up commercialized holiday that is Valentine's Day.  When my husband and I started dating, we found we shared the same view of the day, so we never celebrated.

Once we had kids, though, my attitude changed.  I found myself longing for the school parties, the hand-made valentines covered in glitter and glue, the heart-shaped cookies.  The more I thought about it, the more those were all very much NOT what the day had come to symbolize for so many (expensive dinner and flowers or jewelry to flaunt in front of everyone else.  I saw someone share a photo of roses today with the note, "I have a good husband."  Um...what?  "Sit!  Stay!  Buy roses!  Good, boy.  Good husband.").  I can get behind a celebration that's about friendship and love.

We do tend to give the kids little trinkets, but that's not all the day's about.  Yes, one year, the big girls got giraffe rain boots they wanted, but another year, they got book marks I made out of cardboard, ribbons and stickers.  This year, they all got recorders I bought for 50 cents.

They decorated and sent cards to their grandparents and some friends.  Last year, we went to a party with one of our homeschool groups (and we all had a blast!  That was probably the most fun I've had on Valentine's Day as an adult).  Everyone gave and received tons of cards, we all shared awesome snacks, and we had a blast playing and chatting.

This year, I see more people than ever venting about Valentine's Day (or "Single Awareness Day").  Oh how I understand!  I am not at all a fan of what the day has come to symbolize.  But, hey, the day is what you make of it.  Cover it in glitter and top it off with heart-shaped cookies and you might just find you enjoy the day.