“A heart that loves is always young.”
It is a sunny but windy Valentine’s Day with the weather already in the 40’s. It sounds like a good day to take a ride. This winter Gracie and I have only made short forays to do errands because of the cold so a warm day is an invitation to go about and explore. She’s outside now burying a new bone.
I remember being eight or nine on Valentine’s Day, a day so special I’d be jumping out of bed eager to get to school. I’d bolt down my breakfast and start off for school carefully carry my treasured valentine box all the way. We made our boxes in school during art a day or two before Valentine’s Day. My box started its life as a shoe box, but all the decorations have made it a work of art. Paper frills are around the edges. Red crepe decorates the sides and red construction paper is on the top around the mail slot. Last night was spent at the kitchen table writing out my valentines and picking and choosing the lucky recipients. The valentines aren’t fancy but they are fun and colorful. I wrote my name so big it didn’t fit on the first few valentines, but I did much better with the rest. On the front of the envelope I wrote my friends’ names. I didn’t want to forget anyone. In my school bag my mother put the cookies, my contribution to the party.
Lessons on Valentine’s day lasted an entire week, or at least it seemed that way. All of us were excited and barely able to stay in our seats. After lunch was one lesson then time to put the books away. It was party time. The nun had us bring out our boxes and we had to go one row at a time to put valentines in our friends’ boxes. I remember sitting there hoping someone would drop an envelope in my box. I was never disappointed. After all of the rows had finished, it was time for cookies and candy and opening our valentines. Lots of munching and lots of giggling finished out the day.
We’d walk home talking about day. When I got home and out of my school clothes, it was time to look over my valentines again and again.
Happy Valentine’s Day
May your valentine boxes overflow!
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: school, valentine boxes, Valentines Day
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
February 14, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Well I have absolutely nothing to remember about this day since we never celebrated it when I was Young and only some does it now days.
I think they started to give away cards in schools a couple of years ago, but most stopped since the most bullied kids never got any.
Have a great Valentines day! (or as we call it “All hearts day”)
Christer.
February 14, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Christer,
I like All Hearts Day even more than Valentine’s day.
Most every kid got valentines in school. When my mother could afford it, she bought enough so I could give my whole class each one. That was nicer.
February 14, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14, 2011 at 6:21 pm
Thanks, Buzz, and a Happy Valentine’s Day to you too.
February 14, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Ours always overflowed because there was no person touch to them. Even boys to boys and girls to girls. I never kept mine, I thought it was silly. And especially when you get a Valentine from a girl you hate. One who threw a rock at me during recess. HOw nice of her to think of me. Go on! It was like a Parade.
February 14, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Z&Me,
I don’t ever remember it like that. It was always a lovely day for me.
That girl who threw a rock at you probably had a crush. Younger boys and girls back then weren’t brave enough to express feelings of liking someone.
February 14, 2011 at 9:04 pm
As a kid I did exactly the same as you. The decorated box, the cards and the exchange in class. It was fun at 8 and silly now. It’s a ‘Hallmark’ holiday. They sell cards!
February 14, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Bob,
It was so much fun when I was a kid, but even now we still celebrate and give each other candy hearts, gifts and cards. I even decorate my house as I do for every holiday.
February 15, 2011 at 11:12 am
I remember trying to cut the slot in the top of my Valentine’s Day shoebox with the rounded end safety scissors. Impossible. Of course we had those scissors ’cause the pointed end ones were too dangerous for us little kids. I kept my in a box with my compass – the deadliest weapon ever devised.
Does anyone do May Day Baskets anymore?
February 16, 2011 at 4:51 pm
John,
I think I stabbed the box with those scissors and never did get a nice slot. It had random pieces of cardboard still on it.
Not that I know of, but it is a great tradition to start again. I’ll make a May basket for my friends down the street and sneak it to them in the early morning-thanks for the memory.