Thursday, February 14, 2008

OPEN HEART DAY..."Won't You Be My Valentine?"


I absolutely love holidays! I have ever since I was a little girl :)

When I was little I was filled with glee as at Christmas time I awaited the birth of a holy baby and the arrival of a jolly old man who shared presents...

I looked forward with great anticipation to the magical nature of Easter where Jesus was risen and eggs appeared in my slippers....

And then there was Valentines Day!

I knew when I got up in the morning that both my Mom and I would receive a beautiful and sentimental card from my Dad, and we would each get a dozen red roses from him with a gigantic red bow. Not only that....I would go to school on Valentines Day, put a huge homemade heart with a small envelope sized opening on my desk and await messages of friendship and caring. Many small cards, often made by hand and carefully put into the desk sized mail box, started with the words...."Won't you be my valentine?"

Getting my Valentines ready , and picking out or making just the right cards to give to those I loved, became a time-honored ritual! I could picture their smile when they opened my card and remembered that I loved them. The night before Valentines Day I could hardly sleep.

Not much has changed in all of these years!

My Dad, who came from a very difficult family background, and had his first birthday cake at age thirty that was baked by my Mom, was very sentimental about Valentines Day. His sentiments and wisdom have always stayed with me. He told me something that I will hold in my heart forever...

"Nothing compares to having someone to love who loves you back!"

And he was right! For the first time in his life he had two people who loved him to the moon and back...my Mom and me! He never, ever took that for granted. He knew what it meant to feel like he wasn't anyone's Valentine!

So for me...today isn't just a Hallmark moment. It is far greater than that! It is a reminder to live life with an open heart! It is a reminder to be kind to everyone because you do not know the battles they are fighting! It is a reminder that when you give love generously...love comes back to you tenfold!

I feel so blessed this morning! I awoke to a beautiful and sentimental card from my dear hubby Bert...and as if almost by magic...a dozen red roses with a huge bow sat waiting for me on the kitchen counter. I couldn't stop crying as it brought back memories of Valentines Days gone by. I am so grateful that the one I love... loves me back! I am so grateful that I am someone's Valentine!

God Bless! May you know today that you are dearly loved! God loves you and so do I!

Happy Valentines Day! Love Linda

7 comments:

The Farrell Family said...

Happy Valentine's Day Mom!

Thank you for sharing the story of your wonderful Valentines traditions. I also enjoy celebrating this holiday with cards, candy and flowers.

I'm so thankful you have a special valentine of your own!

xoxo

jessithompson said...

I have the same wonderful memories too of being celebrated by my parents on Valentines Day... still to this day. I got a fun bag of my favorite Valentines surprises from you (darling coffee cup, festive paper plates and napkins, favorite candies, and gift certificates for Starbucks and my nail salon) and dad dropped by to deliver flowers, candy, and a card.

As I place Emma's Valentine treats on the counter this morning... I am thinking of you, Mom.

Thank you for always loving me and making me feel special at Valentines Day!

Anonymous said...

i looooooooooooooove you!

Kayla Jode said...

Happy Valentines Day!! Thank you for sharing your Valentine traditions!

LORIE said...

You are right. . . nothing better than to know God loves you and that you are loved. You are certainly loved Linda!

I love you

Tiffany said...

Beautiful post! I hope you had a fabulous Valentine's Day! :)

Kim said...

Holidays are very special in my family too. I just love to give and okay--receive too! I especially love to make things as did one of the special ladies in my life, my grandma. One of my favorite keepsakes is a valentine from when my grandma was little. It is so delicate and pretty.
I am so thankful for moms. They are just the icing from heaven I'm convinced of it.
I hope you had a great rest of your Valentine's Day. Mine unfortunately ended with Joey getting the flu!

Loves to you.

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