“Love was made for me and you…”
I can hear Nat King Cole and see flowers and hearts and mushy, huggy love all around me.
Valentine’s Day has come around again.
The aftermath of children’s Valentine’s parties clutters my counters with tiny cards and candy wrappers, my toddler’s art work adorns the mantle draped with kid-painted heart garlands, flowers from my Valentine smile from the den table.
I really like Valentine’s Day. Many curse it, blaming Hallmark for sucking us into consumeristic spending traps. Many find it a lonely day that highlights something missing. But it is about love, and we all have that, in some form or other.
It’s a good day to show it, to whomever you love. Love is a big deal. You know when you love someone. You can’t help it.
This year, I have a Valentine and three tiny Valentines. I also made sure to tell my family and my friends “Happy Valentine’s” because I love them too. Love is bigger than a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a husband or wife. Love is for all of us.
Love looks different to different people, too. It’s not our job to say whose love is right and whose is wrong. We’re all human; we all know love. So let’s show a little more of it. A little more understanding for unknown struggles, a little more patience with those we don’t know, a lot less pointing fingers and telling others what to do, and a little more minding our own business and loving our people. It won’t hurt much, I promise.
Valentines from our daughter, colored pencil
From the mouths of babes…
The first conversation we ever had with our kids about homosexuality was about our neighbors. Two women who live together in faithful partnership. We simply told the kids that our neighbors love each other, but some people don’t think that’s okay. That was that.
But our eldest said, “Well that’s dumb! No one can tell you who to love!”
Smart kid. I agree.
Homemade Valentine cards, a family tradition:
My Hero, watercolor & ink
For my 3 tiny Valentines
What a lovely post about love. You are showing your children, how to be in this world. Teaching children by example should be every parent’s goal. You truly excel at this.
That is very kind, humbling and encouraging of you to say. Most of the time we feel like we have no idea what we’re doing! It’s wonderful to see your children blossom in love.