HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Does this look familiar to you? Did you make one when you were in grade school? I read an article in the February Good Housekeeping, "The Valentine Box", by Mary Tsao (marytsao.blogspot.com) She wrote about helping her daughter make a Valentine Box to take to school. Mary describes how she was taken in by the whole project so much that Emily pretty much sat back and watched her mom make the box. Thoughts of my special Valentine box came flooding into my head while reading Mary's story. I didn't mention it to anyone and had a nice memory to linger on in the days approaching Valentine's Day. One evening I was at my Mother's house and there was my Valentine Box waiting for me to claim it. It would very hard for anyone else to say it belonged to them as it had my name written on the inside of the lid, right where I had left it! I was so grateful that my Mother had kept it and that my sisters had found it. Funny how these little things bring back such memories and emotions. I remember making this particular box, maybe in 4th or 5th grade, because the paper was an expensive white paper that looked like a brand new pair of white patent leather shoes. I decorated with simple red construction paper hearts on it. On the lid is the indention of where a bigger red heart once lived. It looks pretty ratty doesn't it? Maybe to you but not to me.

LOOK AT THE TREASURE INSIDE! Yes, Valentine's from old school friends and friends that I am still very close to today. I really enjoy looking at old Valentines whether they are mine or not. I wish they still made them like this little one. The silver ink on the card always made them look so romantic and special. I remember we would leave the boxes on our desks and walk around the room passing out cards and having a small party. I don't know if they are allowed to do that anymore, shame.

I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you are with loved ones in person or in memories.

Ciao!