Love Holidays - Not So Cheesy After All

Jeff and I are really practical people.  I am, admittedly, not a sentimental person either.  After thirteen and a half years together we tend to forget about anniversaries.  Birthdays, because they are shared with children, are a small affair.  We opt for homemade cards, and a heartfelt acknowledgement.  So when something like Valentine's Day comes around there are no expectations. 

The kids really do it up though.  No matter what the holiday, you can expect a half dozen cards, confetti, streamers, seasonal music on Pandora.  The works.  Yesterday we all missed V-day, but when the kids went to bed we decided that we would celebrate each other the next day, and we did, but when I crawled under the covers for an old 80's movie with Jeff I was surprised, and completely delighted, when he pulled out a box of my favorite boutique chocolates.  I know Valentine's day is not a popular 'holiday' for many.  It's by no means an equal opportunity holiday, and I too dislike the pressure to go out and buy things for another holiday.  But when it's like this, an opportunity for  a family to celebrate each other, I love it, and I feel deeply blessed to have such a family as this one.

After a great night of belly laughing at the space and computer technology in an old movie, a shared plate of spicy Aleppo Pepper pasta (courtesy of Jeff), and some nibbles of filled chocolates, we started to doze off before the movie finished.  I woke up heavy headed this morning.  Slow to rise and bleary eyed, I shuffled to the kitchen, but on the way I was mobbed by three kids trying to give me the the cards they had made.  Huge yarn stitched hearts.  Oil Pastel coated valentines with swirls and 'fancy' writing, amidst a chorus of "Mama, this one is mine - for you!" 
They followed me to the kitchen, pulled on my robe while I filled my cup, tried to follow me to the bathroom, and then climbed on me to be the first when I made it to the chair.  They showed me what they made for me, and they showed me what they made for each other.  Nichola helped Simone cut out heart shapes, and Quinn shared his art supplies.  They taped their valentines all around my bed and Quinn handed me a clue written on heart shaped paper, which led to another clue, and another, and so on, until I found my "Big Valentine" that he had made. 

It was reason enough to live a whole life, and on this occasion I'm happy for the little holiday on the calendar.  It's not over either.  Attached to our wall is a poster announcing a "Valentine Making Festival" to the sound of love songs.  That'll happen after dinner tonight.  I'll take pictures ;)


Someone needs a nap when the sun gets low in the sky.  It might be me though...