Valentine’s Day Through the Years
I feel like Valentine's Day is one of those things you go through a cycle of liking and hating, or vice versa. As a kid it's all about making your little box in school or decorating the classroom, writing down all your classmates names and giving your friends the best designs on the cards or candies in the bag. It's about having fun. There was always a kid who brought in ring pops or fun dip and they were automatically the best. Everyone is included, or at least should be, but as you get older it becomes something different.
If you have a big group of friends, maybe you get each other little gifts, or the school offers a telegram kind of system with roses or carnations that you can send. If you have a partner this can be embarrassing. I know in middle school it was embarrassing and I grew to hate it, and in highschool I didn't really participate or notice anything significant (unless I or a friend had a partner). Our school had this thing in highschool where all the girls wrote their name on a heart on arriving, and the boys had to try and get you to talk to them. If you talked to them they got your heart. It was kind of fun, but some girls took it way too seriously and were low key cringey.
However, as I got out of highschool and became an adult, I grew to love it again. I didn't have to see constant PDA or feel jealous when others got pretty bouquets or chocolates they actually liked. My thoughts were always more on the acts and thought behind the holiday. It should be a time to surprise your partner, do what you think they'd like. I don't need a huge amount of presents, or a huge public event, no one needs to out do themselves. Write a letter, give me a single rose, or just take me on a tiny date. I think it's so much more special when it's a small and fun surprise, or an intimate display of appreciation and affection. It doesn't need to be huge and corporatized, but an understanding of what your friends or partner likes.
What are some of your favorite memories? Do you still have any valentines from when you were in school? Do you still make valentines?
