Today’s weather is the same as yesterday’s and the day before that and on and on. It is in the low 30’s. We have sun, but its light is muted by a sky full of clouds. Only the dead leaves hanging off the ends of the oak branches are moving.

When I was a kid, Valentine’s Day was special. It needed lots of planning. First was a trip to Woolworth’s to buy my valentines. Back then they came several in a package. On the fronts were red cheeked often roly poly boys and girls or cute animals all hoping for a valentine to say yes. The requests were often puns related to the pictures. The backs were where I wrote my name. Each valentine had its own envelope where I’d write my classmates’ names. I used to make my valentine box, usually a shoe box. My mother would gather decorations. I’d cover the whole box with red construction paper on which I’d drawn hearts with crayons or colored pencils. Sometimes I’d add lace. I tried to be artistic. On the top, I’d make a slit so my classmates could put in their valentines to me. We’d go row by row up and down the aisles to give out our valentines. I remember sitting and holding my breath hoping I’d get valentines. Some classmates would just pass me by. It always hurt a little.

On the night before Valentine’s Day, I’d address my valentines. My name, Kathleen, is long so it barely fit on the backs of the valentines. I’d use pencil and write my name from top to bottom, usually slanted because I wasn’t all that great at straight. I’d put them in the box to carry them to school. I’d also bring cookies or brownies or cupcakes for the party after lunch. We all brought something.

We set up for the party. The goodies were on my teacher’s desk. All our books were put away to make room for our boxes. First we’d each pass out our valentines. They’d sit unopened in our boxes until all of them had been passed out. We’d then go for the goodies. While we were eating, we’d open the envelopes. We’d show each other the funniest ones. None were romantic. We were too young.

When the party was done, we’d clean up. Not long after, the dismissal bell would ring. I’d carry my box all the way home making sure not to crush it. At home, I’d go through my valentines again. I’d show my mother my favorites then I’d put the box away for safe keeping. I’d look through it every now and then. I even kept a few for the longest time.

This entry was posted on February 14, 2026 at 12:12 pm and is filed under Musings. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.