Despite all that I read in Sweet Valley High, not once did the incredibly hot senior seek out my shy self. There were no kisses over the birthday cake a la Sixteen Candles.
I was kind of a geek, and boys didn't notice me. So naturally, that meant that Valentine's Day was stupid.
That was my story, anyway.
I eventually found somebody. Sadly, he's not a romantic. We don't go out for Valentine's Day. We don't feed each other heart-shaped chocolate mousse. We just don't.
This year, however, I read Monica's blog. She's amazing. I love her.
Her boy needs love. Lots and lots of love. So, she's making Valentine's Day a big deal. Countdowns. Decorations. Parties.
And she's right. We need love. All of us. In between the smog and Tucson and cold weather, I've been having days where the world feels as dark as my high-school Valentine's garb.
So, I'm defiantly embracing love. I'm even doing crafts, people.
The boys and I made these vases out of Mod-Podge, tissue paper, and jelly jars. We numbered a heart for each day between now and Valentine's Day.
Each morning, Owen pulls out a number, and we brainstorm how he can show love that day. We've sent cards to Grandma. We've bought food for the food bank. We've made a birdfeeder out of pinecone and peanut butter for the birds. Today, I think, we're baking cookies for our neighbor.
We've decorated with our heart fences.
And you know? It helps. It really, really helps.
