Happy Valentine’s Day!!
I hope you feel loved today! If not, I assure you … You are loved!!
As I was sending valentines to my “Grands”, my little loves, I started to think about this day in my elementary years.
I recall every year the teacher directing us to make some type of “mailbox” for Valentine’s Day. On the day, we would each bring valentine cards to deposit in our classmates “mailboxes”. During our party, we got to open our boxes and read the cards from our peers.
I recall taking such care in choosing cards to give. The words mattered to me. (Perhaps, giving a clue to my future writing self.) Almost always we got cards from every class member. They were wonderful affirmations. Even the person in class I never felt friendship with, I realized, was a peer with a cheery note in my box and vice versa. We signed our name to all of them, which was an arduous task in the early years.
Bless my Mom, I never considered what a task it must have been times 4 children! We came home with the class names on a paper. She sat and directed our signing and choosing to make sure every name was covered. Times 4! This dawned on me when my children entered the classroom. It took some parental input early on.
I know my grands still buy valentines cards for the class and pass them out. I presume it is still a tradition in most classes today. We had a party with food at school, but the box I carried home held the most precious part of the celebration. I’d reread them at home. Put them on my dresser and reread them in the days ahead. The words and sentiments were golden. They made my little-girl heart happy! I hope mine did the same for some of my classmates.
Did your school do something similar or the same?
What was your response?
Another memory triggered as these came to mind:
High School Valentine’s Day, 11th grade.
Our school did a fundraiser. Students could purchase flowers and/or chocolates for other students to be delivered in Homeroom Valentine’s morning to anyone you chose.
I was NOT the girl to get these deliveries. I didn’t have many boyfriends in High School, although I had lots of friends. These deliveries were mostly from boyfriends.
This Valentine’s Day a delivery person came into our room and announced my name with a flower and card. This was one of maybe three deliveries to our homeroom.
I was very surprised: no idea who this was from!
The card was signed,
“An Anonymous Admirer”.
What?? I don’t get to know who sent this or who is admiring me??
Flattering for sure, but frustrated with a side of creepy mixed in.
Who is this? Is someone watching me I don’t know about?
Of course, I was carrying a flower around all day. Everyone asked, “Oh, who’s it from?” I got to say, “I don’t know.” Which led to more questions, none of which I could answer.
I thought maybe a friend, my sister, did it as a loving gesture. Instead of having to answer, “It’s from my friend/sister.” I could say, “A Secret Admirer!” So, they didn’t sign their name.
Or was it a joke from someone?
I did not know, but I’d have to admit “a secret admirer” held intrigue and mystery, which was endearing to my 16-year-old heart. I kept the note for years and years. It made me smile … books and movies surround such events!
My sister and close friends tried to help me scope out the self-proclaimed admirer, to no avail. But its prospects and questions lingered.
About four years later, my sister solved the mystery. Somehow, she found out it was a guy she worked with after school. I didn’t know him at all. From her talking about work, I heard his name. I knew he went to our school, but I didn’t even know what he looked like. I suppose he had a long distance infatuation through knowing my sister.
Whatever prompted him … it was a very kind and bold gesture!
It gave my life a little lift that day and for weeks beyond, trying to solve the case.
My memory file pulled it up when I was thinking about Valentine’s Day at school. So, I’d say it’s something you never forget, even though it’s not been at the front of my mental file cabinet for a long while.
It’s a fun and poignant memory!
Do you have a school Valentine’s memory?
I’d love to hear!
Tell me in the comments below.
Hope today brings a smile or memory,
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Elaine Stone 