Unraveling the Innocence and Evolution of Valentine’s Day: A Personal Narrative

Valentine’s Day – a celebration of love and affection, marked by the exchange of cards, chocolates, and sometimes, a vulnerable confession of feelings. The onset of this holiday often takes us down memory lane, boasting tales of first crushes and innocent love.

As a child, do you recall the fluttering sensation in your stomach when your eyes met your first crush? I do. For me, it was a little girl named Melissa. We shared the same playground, and while I was a painfully shy child, I admired her from a distance. As a six-year-old, Valentine’s Day seemed like the perfect opportunity to let her know about my innocent feelings.

Fast forward to today, my wife and our two boys spend time creating homemade Valentine’s Day cards, a practice not prevalent during my childhood. I recall my mother buying a box of premade cards, and I would simply fill in the names of my classmates. Occasionally, we would decorate shoeboxes to collect cards from classmates, an exciting way to measure our popularity.

But, for Melissa, I wanted my Valentine to be special. With much thought, I added a cute message to a store-bought card. Still, it felt insufficient. So, I decided to write a separate “love letter” expressing my feelings. This idea too was abandoned fearing the letter might fall into the wrong hands. I then contemplated candy – those little chalky-tasting candy hearts with sayings like “Be Mine” and “Kiss Me.” These seemed appropriate and could be taped inside the card. However, fear of rejection held me back. Speaking to girls was an art I didn’t master until my 20s.

Today, Valentine’s Day in our household is mainly a children’s affair. My wife and I have outgrown the necessity for gifts. She’s not into flowers or candy, and we prefer to keep the day simple. There was a time when I thought it was a trick, and I should surprise her with something. But, we’ve never exchanged gifts on this day. Perhaps, before the kids were born, we may have shared a nice dinner. But even then, we shied away from crowded restaurants.

Now, our focus is on the joys our children derive from Valentine’s Day. Their excitement for school parties, the anticipation of their grandma’s package filled with homemade cookies, Hershey’s Kisses, and a few gifts, including matching pajamas, is infectious. Their innocent delight takes me back to when I was a kid, preparing that special Valentine for Melissa.

Reflecting on our oldest son’s teenage years, I remember my wife surprising him with Valentine’s Day balloons and treats at school. The sight of him blushing in embarrassment is a memory we often revisit with amusement.

Valentine’s Day, for us, has evolved over the years. It is no longer about grand gestures but about sharing love and creating memories. Whether it’s with a first crush, a spouse, or our children, it’s the love we share and the memories we create that make this day special.

So here’s to a day full of love and warm memories, Happy Valentine’s Day!