Red: Memories of a Mismatched Day

Valentine's Day is such a funny enigma of a holiday. If it were National Write a Love Note Day than perhaps we would all know what to do with ourselves.

But having it be a day when pink and glitter and chocolate springs out of the woodwork, and countless school children trade pre-printed notes of sentiment to others who are not necessarily their friends, seems just so strange. Originally, it was a day to celebrate the comradery and friendship type of love (which would make the school children thing less creepy), which I much prefer. Some countries do have a friendship day, in fact.

I know a number of single people who are not the least bit bothered by the day (I really thought about it myself, honestly), but also quite a few who are severely bothered...but what do they plan to do with the day when they are not single? Reporting from my second Valentine's day married to my best friend, I cannot say I have any clue what to do with it. I do like the idea of writing notes of friendship and love. I wrote three, one for Nathanael, one for my younger sister Megan, and one for my Dad (my envelope doodle shown above). I hope my Mom and other sister don't feel neglected...I email them more anyhow.

Do you have any memories, fond or strange, of Valentine's Day's past?

Most Valentine's Days of the past completely escape me. I'm sure my Mom, who was great at themed desserts, made some very memorable meals and sweets, which have all been lost to my own memory (perhaps Dad recalls).

I do remember coming down one Valentine's morning to find four red construction paper cards decorated in black permanent marker images uniquely suited to each of our personalities. My Dad makes the best valentines.

And of course I remember the enormous snow storm my senior year of college,2007, that canceled classes and led to the longest and best snow day with friends. (We even made waffles and snow ice cream.)

But I do remember the Valentine's events of one year with particular clarity...

 I remember some time in middle school when I was reading by my clip lamp on the morning of February 14th, and I took the single glow in the dark star I owned (which had been tossed from a second story window as a gift to me from one of Megan's friends) and placed it on the light bulb to charge. I was totally engrossed in my book, however, (The Hobbit I think) and I only remembered it was there when I smelled it burning. It had melted to the bulb, taken on the curve, singed in one corner, and lost its points. I was so sad about it that I cried...a lot. I was a rather sentimental child, and the fact that I had ruined this token of friendship (on Valentine's morning no less) crushed me. But it still glowed, so I ended up keeping it and it probably haunts the corners of my parents' home to this day.
Later that day we were supposed to have a Valentine's dessert and craft day at our Pioneer Girls Clubs, but the event was canceled due to a snow storm. The following week when we held the delayed event I remember eating disappointing desserts (much to pretty for their own good), wearing a burgundy velvet shirt my aunt gave me, and being asked to sing to all of the grades. I am not sure who decided I should sing a solo at the event, but it was almost like a dare. All of the girls from my grade were nervous for me and told me not to be scared, and then, do you know what I sang? While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night. With accompaniment!
It was kind of my song at the time; we had it on a cassette at home with other songs which were all sung by children's choirs. The recording for that song, however, was sung by an adult, and I had asked my Mom why they didn't have a child sing it. She said it was probably a hard song to sing; thus starting my peaceful defiance of anyone who did not believe in the abilities of children. So, I went on to sing a Christmas song at a Valentine's dessert. Guess I showed them.

Reminisce with me in the comments...