Texas Lou

When I was in elementary school, I remember one year getting my Valentine’s Day cards ready to hand out to the students in my class.  Rather than just filling out the To and From fields on the store-bought cards like most kids, I chose to add a special message to each and every one.  I write “I Love You” on each card.  I remember feeling embarrassed the next day when some of the boys in my class made fun of me.  I remember thinking I should have just done the bare minimum and not gone out of my way to make my cards extra special just to get teased at the school Valentine’s Day party.

Well, as an adult, I am proud of my childhood self for wanting to stand out and express my feelings.  I am glad that I went the extra mile and wrote that meaningful yet often feared sentiment on each card.  The truth is, I do love all of my friends.  Even as a child I loved my friends and knew that love was an emotion that wasn’t just meant to be between a couple in a relationship or someone who shared your blood.  I’d been in the same class with those kids since I started school and they were important to me and I wanted to show them that.  So I don’t regret it and I never will, even if it did cause me some embarrassment as a little girl.

I hope my children are never afraid to express their true emotions and I also hope they are never made to feel embarrassed of them either.  Happy Valentine’s Day to you all and remember that Valentine’s Day and loving someone is not just about expressing your appreciation and love for your boyfriend, or girlfriend, or husband, or wife.  It’s about sharing your gratitude and love with all the people that fill your life with joy and happiness.