Happy Valentine’s Day!

While my coffee was brewing, I watched out the kitchen window at the birds and the feeders. I was thrilled to see two goldfinches dining at the thistle feeder. I had just filled it the other day. Today I’ll fill the sunflower seed feeders. 

When I was a kid, Valentine’s Day was exciting. Before the big day, we’d shop at Woolworth’s for my valentines. They had a picture on the front and a corny saying. I remember one with a camel which said, “I can go without water but not without you.” The backs were blank and that’s where I wrote my name. Kathleen is a long name which didn’t fit the back so my name was slanted or the last few letters of my name didn’t fit. I always added the R for Ryan as there were a few Kathleens in my class. I remember taking my time to write in my best handwriting. 

I remember art class a week or so before Valentine’s Day. We decorated shoe boxes and they became Valentine boxes. A slit at the top was where the valentines went into the box. 

We had a party at school on the big day but not until after lunch. I remember walking to school carrying my precious box and the cookies or cupcakes my mother had made for the party. The boxes were stashed under our desks. The morning was endless. We had our regular subjects, but we were more fixated on the boxes under our desks.

After lunch the festivities began. The nun’s desk held all of the goodies. The Valentine’s boxes were on our desks. We went row by row to pass out our valentines. I remember just hoping no one would pass me by. We all to wait until every row had given out their valentines. After that, we’d get our goodies, sit at our desks and open the  valentines. We’d show each other the special ones and the ones from the boys. 

The party lasted until the end of the day. We’d clean up the classroom just before the final bell. I put my valentines in my box, in my treasure chest. I’d carry the box home with solemnity befitting the treasures inside. I’d get home and show my mother all my valentines. I kept them safe in that box for the longest time.