A reminder that Sunday, February 14th, is Valentine’s Day. So it’s time to get or make that special someone a special something. Maybe that “something” is a flower bouquet, a piece of jewelry, a box of chocolates, or a sentimental card. No matter what it will be, it’s the thoughtfulness that will be appreciated.
As a child, Valentine’s Day was looked forward to at the Oak Creek Country School. Red and pink paper cut out Valentine’s were made, and put on ribbons or strings that were draped across the walls of the school room. White paper was folded and snips were made here and there. When the paper was unfolded, a snowflake would appear. Snowflakes of all shapes and sizes were taped onto the schoolhouse windows. Then each student brought a box from home, which was usually a shoe box. The students decorated their box anyway they chose. Pink, white and red construction and crepe papers, and paper doilies were passed out. A slit was cut out on the box lid. Soon the artistic talents came out in the student and a Valentine box was made. The creator’s name was placed on the side of the box for all to see. The Valentine boxes were arranged neatly on the labeled Valentine table. Valentine cards were made at home and brought to school the day of the Valentine’s party and placed in the marked box, matching the name on the card to the name on the box.
My mother took my sister and me to a drug store to pick out the Valentines that were put into the Valentine boxes. We’d bring the Valentine folders home. Each one would be carefully picked out and signed. A count had to be made to be sure everyone would receive a card. Cards were placed into a sack that would be taken to school the next morning.
The day of the Valentine’s party was exciting. Cards were carefully placed into the boxes. Then it was time to play Valentine games and sing songs around the piano. Poems were read. Then it was time for refreshments. Parents took turns bringing treats for each holiday. Usually the treats were decorated cookies or cupcakes, along with red or pink colored Kool Aid. The teacher would pass out a candy treat for each student. Then came that special time when we got to get our Valentine boxes and open them up. I wondered what would happen if someone opened their box and could only find one or two Valentines inside. Somehow, thankfully, that never happened. Though at the time, I couldn’t help but think there was a boy or two who that could happen to since he was a little too ornery.
Next, it was time to create a Valentine card to take home to our parents. For that we had paper and doilies to use along with the glue, scissors and crayons. We’d work on those until the end of the school day. I was excited to take the card home to hand to Mom and Dad with pride. Soon my sister and I would disappear into our rooms to again check out the cards in our Valentine boxes brought home from school.
How special those early days were of Valentine giving. Through the years, the Valentine cards made by my sons, Sunday School students and piano students were just as special. Some of them I cherished so much I placed in a drawer. Once in a while I look at them. Sometimes it’s not the beautiful jewelry, or the lovely flowers that mean so much, it’s the thought that counts in just being remembered, even if it’s just homemade Valentine cards made in love. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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