It is almost the big Heart Day and I have a few things to say about it and am hoping you do too. I know a lot of us are disgruntled with consumerism run amuk and that Valentine’s Day is now seen by many as just another ploy from the greeting card/floral industries to guilt us into spending too much. This got me to thinking and recollecting…mostly recollecting.
What I am thinking is this; most of us are pretty happy when someone they care about (or even a stranger, for that matter) goes out of their way to be thoughtful. And, for most of us, the thoughtfulness does not require mass amounts of stuff (I said most of us). I very much hope we all have touching Valentine’s Day stories that back up my theory. Here are a few of mine.
When I was in fourth or maybe fifth grade my mom wrote all of my fellow students’ names on their Valentine’s cards in Calligraphy. Lots of these kids kept these Valentines in their desk long after the big day because they felt special every time they saw their name all pretty-like on those cheap little see-through white envelopes. Thank you for doing that, mom.
A decade or so later, my then boyfriend Tom wanted to give me a Valentine but had little money. He handed me a single red rose with a ribbon attached. Tied to the ribbon was an abalone shell ring. Tom died last year at forty years old and even though we had fallen out of touch I will always treasure that ring and how special he made me feel that day.
My friend Mary loves hearts and so do I. A couple of years ago my friend Laurie helped me make heart soaps in honor of Mary for Dakota Blonde’s Annual Valentine Show raffle. Last year, during the concert, Mary surprised me with three beautiful black and white photos of the band, one in a sweet antiquey silver frame. Warm Fuzzies.
As for the pot pie you see pictured above, this was not a Valentine – but the bonus red pepper heart brought much happiness that day and this photo pretty much sums up what I am getting at. I was a very happy woman…all for under five bucks (can’t remember – may have even gotten an employee discount on it).
And now, for my favorite Valentine’s Day story…Paul and I had our first date on Feb 12th, 2006. We had such a nice time that we decided to meet again the next night. Instead, I ended up in the ER (car accident) and don’t remember that Valentine’s Day at all (pain meds) but I do remember him picking me up at the hospital and taking me back to his house and nursing me back to health for the next several days. He has been my Valentine ever since : )
I am pretty sure I don’t need to tell you this…but it would be great to hear some of your very own Valentine’s stories : ) Just click the comment link above and type away.
PS I have nothing against cards and flowers. I love them both. I just think we could all use a little reminding that there are lots and lots of (inexpensive) ways to love and be loved. Here’s wishing us all extra X’s and O’s this Valentines Day!
My favorite Valentine story? The morning of Valentine’s Day at Paula’s coffee shop, 2008. I was on my way to a nursing “job” to care for a dying man. Had on a black skirt and a red sweater. Hugged everyone I knew at the coffee shop, including two little girls, told ’em I loved them, and thanked them for being such “sweet-hearts” in my life. Next thing we knew, pretty much everyone in the shop was hugging everyone else in the shop…. it was LOVE-ly!
For those of you who don’t know Paula, Denise is talking about Cafe Di Lucca in Evergreen, CO. I can imagine this scene perfectly in my mind – hugs all around at the “Cheers of Evergreen”…I just love this visual!
I do remember one Valentine’s Day in fourth grade when I gave those little conversation hearts to all my classmates in their cards. Unfortunately, I didn’t plan very well. The last card was for the one boy who used to tease me and literally pull my pigtails. I did not like him. I was left with 2 hearts, and one said something like “love ya.” Obviously this wasn’t going to work, so I licked it off and gave it to him. To this day I still think it was well deserved.
Classic problem solving skills, Em! Just curious – did you lick it off in front of him or on the sly? Either way I agree that it was the right thing to do under the circumstances : )
I LOVE valentine’s day. One of my favorite funny valentine’s memories… A few years ago I made valentines and sent them to my friends. One friend’s roommate saw the card and thought his niece in elementary school had made it. Haha… guess I should leave the home-made goodies to you, Valynne. xoxo
Casey, that is too cute! I am not overy confident in my cardmaking abilities, but oh how I do love random bits of paper, lace, and ribbon (and buttons!) and am amazed at the mixed media magic some people are capable of. If you sent me a Valentine I would surely ooh and ahhh…just sayin’.
On Februrary 11th, Michele at Bella Vita in Kittredge is hosting “The Art and Heart of the Handwritten Letter” with Alex and Kristin Witt. Valentine-making will be involved and I am hoping to live vicariously through friends! Her addy is http://www.LiveBellaVita.com or you can just stop by or RSVP at 303-674-1151.
Missing you, sweet friend.
I really like the idea of Valentine’s Day, but it might put too much pressure on people to force a perfectly romantic day. Would it be nice to have a lovely day, get a nice card, have a romantic dinner, get flowers or diamond earrings on Valentine’s Day? Of course! Would it feel even better if it were a completely random day? Absolutely!!
I also think too many people expect special things on V Day and if they don’t get that special thing they get pissed…not so much in the spirit of V Day.
While I look forward to V Day this year and the horrible part of me is expecting flowers or something, I am more looking forward to the day when I’m surprised by flowers.
Happy Valentine’s Day anyway! 🙂
Dear Christine,
Yes, the Valentine’s Day imagery you conjure is stereotypical and bland at best…I am not interested in that kind of a day, although even the mass marketed version has it’s merits…
Example: It seems Valentine’s Day provides some of us less demonstrative folk an excuse to share the love, (i.e. a handwritten ee cummings-esque poem would be great, but a Hallmark card is also a very nice gesture).
And who said this day had to be all about romantic love? I mean, handing each other corny cards and eating sweets at school was good times when I was a kid!
I am pretty sure the average Caretaking Couple reader is less concerned with diamond earrings than they are with the non-material aspects of said Day (see other comments for back-up). Resisting the urge to pontificate on the diamond industry…
Beautiful Christine, if you don’t have a special Heart Day memory yet then let this be the year that makes a believer out of you…I hear that new(ish) husbands and perfect little baby boys can do that to a woman…
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOOX (teehee)
How about this? :
When I was in art school we had a photo assignment with a Valentine’s Day theme. My thought, “BARF!” I was single, had been single for a long time, had dated a long line of obviously mentally ill men…
So, what did I do? I interpreted the theme a little differently and decided to celebrate pairs of things. I took photos of a pair of boots, a double door garage, the hot and cold knobs in my bathtub… Valentine’s Day isn’t just for human couples, couples of all things should celebrate each other.
I wrote a great response to this, which was consumed by Cyberspace (one day I will remember to copy and paste my masterpieces : )
OK, where was I? Love, love, LOVE the couples concept and think it is v cool that your mind went there!
And now, for those of you readers who don’t know me personally and are thinking, wow, she is so foofy…a Valentine’s story I conveniently forgot to mention the first time around…
A friend of a friend had just gone through a nasty break-up and decided to throw a “#*@# Valentine’s Day” party with torn up hearts hanging from the rafters. All us singletons had a blast that year!
I just want to add that times have been a weee bit economically hard on Adam and I lately. So, we’ve reverted back to the “tried and true”. This is what we used to do in our college days…..we’ve agreed to have Morgan spend the night away at his Nana and Papaw’s house, for one thing (Morgan definitely kills the “college days” mood…). We’ll get a bottle of champagne on the cheaper side, and Adam has promised to get the biggest box of Russell Stover chocolates that he can find at Safeway. We’ve always done something big in the past. Think Highland Haven, or a night away at a ski resort, or something along those lines. This year is all about the mellow. I’m actually looking forward to the Russell Stovers. I’ve been on a health kick since the beginning of Jan. and cheap, delicious chocolates are just what I’m craving right now!
I miss you, Heather! This sounds like a lovely Valentine’s Day to me…reminiscent. I am entering every contest I find in hopes of surprising Paul with a romantic trip for two to…well…anywhere. Don’t worry about him finding out – he only reads the comment section when I point it out to him : )
Paul and I spent one Heart Day in the Gardener’s Cottage at Highland Haven…it was such a treat! Maybe next year will find us all in cozy B&B’s again…as for this year, I say BRING ON THE RUSSELL STOVERS!
PS Would love to hear more about your health kick (after Heart Day, of course). I’ll tell you what I am up to, also!
I had forgotten about the valentines, but it was a good and productive way to practice calligraphy. It is nice to know that effort was enjoyed by you and your classmates. My most valued treasures are the cards and art pieces created by my children. I love Victorian valentine cards and dream of creating them but I feel more comfortable playing with fabric. Love you & happy Valentines to you and Paul. Mom
I found some cool paper, Mom – it is 12×12 and has a vintage-style family tree on it that allows you to fill in the names. It was on the back side of some fancy paper I found for the MGO scrapbook so I saved one to show you. I don’t know where to find it on it’s own but I am sure there are places…
Will be posting pics of my MGO project as soon as I spread it out again – it takes up all table and counter space in the house – three years of memories! I want to do this with my pics also; can’t begin to imagine how long that project would take.
Do you cross-stitch anymore? I always enjoyed it and would like to get back into it – so relaxing. Laura gave me a pretty kit (lavender flower motif) and I found some oatmeal fabric…What kind of fabric are you playing with these days? I have a couple of repairs to make to my quilt -should I wait until I see you next so I don’t mess it up?
Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too. Hope its a romantical one!
I will be happy to make repairs if you are concerned, although I have confidence in you. I haven’t done cross stitch in a while, but please let me know if there is anything specific you would like to work on and I will see what I can find. There is a wonderful little shop here called BeadTime. It is owned by two sisters, one of whom makes bead jewelery and other wonderful beaded treasures, and the other does needlework. They both teach classes and have some great choices. OR, I can check my stash and you can take your chances . . .Let me know whether you prefer door #1 or door #2. Love you. Mom
Just saw this comment, Mom. For some reason I am having issues with my CC e-mail, which is where my comment alerts come in…ahh, technology.
Bead Time sounds cool. Laura gave me a “lavender” themed cross stitch kit so I will start with that and go from there.
I’m going to give a call; want to catch up regarding Em and Cal Poly, etc. etc. Very excited for her!
NEED to send Joey’s package before he disowns me. Wish I had just a little bit extra $ to make it “complete”, alas…
PS I have two questions for you…
1. What is your favorite flower?
2. Who is your favorite poet?
A few years ago, I decided to make my flaming whitefish in champagnes sauce. This used to be my “date dish” and was always excellent and impressive. There is brandy, there is champagne and there is fire. This particular year, I added the brandy at the end to light. You swirl it, blow it out, and look like a culinary whiz who does that everyday. After the brandy went in, I lit it and swirled, and the swirl came out of the pot in a slosh. It really surprised me! The slosh of flaming soup jumped out of the pot, hit the floor and a little river of soup on fire zipped around my kitchen tiles. While I froze, my date ran in, wet kitchen towels and threw them down on the fire. (That was the ONLY impressive element of the dish!) We then ate undercooked fish and finished off the evening with pepto for dessert.
A good memory…when I was in preschool my mom made a big, red frosted Valentine’s Day cookie for my whole class and I was extremely proud to serve it to all my fellow 5 year olds.
Happy V-day, V! And P!
OMG Krista – I could so see that happening. Was your date a fire-fighter? The joys of dating.
My cousin Jenna helped me make tiramisu one year for this guy I had a major crush on.
All these strange kitchen incidences occured while we created our masterpiece, which made it that much more fun.
Example: while it was being whipped in the Cuisinart we heard a funny noise. A branch had somehow managed to get into the mix. What the?
For some reason, we found this hilarious and could not stop laughing. Odd things do tend to occur when I am in the kitchen.
Happy V-Day to you, too, K! And thanks for sharing the the flaming whitefish debacle!
The flaming whitefish in champagne sauce sounds wonderful. What a funny story!