Valentine's Day

Ah, Valentine's Day!  It is one of the more popular holidays for many, many reasons.  Some people love it, and some people hate it.  Each stage in life brings different emotions to the holiday.  For example:

You have the grade school kids who either buy or make enough valentines for their classmates and/or friends.  Let's be honest, they have their moms make the cards.  They enjoy getting the cards with the lame - I mean, witty rhymes on them and they even get to enjoy treats such as conversation hearts, chocolates, maybe even sugar cookies and brownies with pink frosting.  It's a fun, sugar-filled day for a kid! 

You have the teenagers who have boyfriends and girlfriends now so Valentine's Day is even more fun.  You get romantic cards, a box of chocolates, maybe even a stuffed animal and/or flowers.  Young love is always fun and exciting!  Who doesn't love the warm, fuzzy feeling you get from this special day?

It doesn't take long for those teenagers - or even young adults - to realize, though, that sometimes boyfriends and girlfriends come and go, and sometimes Valentine's Day will find you single.  Single.  Something you do not want to be on this day because it will literally rub it in your face that you are alone and miserable.  You make a point to complain about the day weeks ahead of time so everyone know your life stinks. You purposely wear black - the color of death - to show how much you hate this time of year.  You buy the biggest box of chocolates for yourself and sit in a dark room watching sappy chick flicks all by yourself.  Don't forget your box of tissues! 

Next you have engaged/newly married couples . The warm, fuzzy feelings are back because you finally found the one you will spend the rest of your life with!  Every Valentine's Day will be spent with him/her waking you up to flowers, chocolates, a card and the day will be spent doing romantic things because you both take the day off just to show your love.  Right?  Maybe in the beginning...

Then comes my stage in life. 

Married.  With kids. 

You buy the lame - I mean, witty cards for your kids now.  You decorate your windows with pink and red hearts that are decorated by your little ones.  Your house explodes with slivers of construction paper and glitter that you will find months later - you may find remains up until the next Valentine's Day!

You buy a little box of chocolates not only for your significant other, but little boxes of chocolates for your sons and daughters.

Your husband or wife still go to work - they can't take the day off because there are too many mouths to feed and bills to pay - but when they walk through the door at the end of the day they will have something special for you.

Some Valentine's Days you will get to dress up and go out on a date kid-free, and other Valentine's Days you dine in and celebrate the love that brought you those beautiful, chaotic children. 

I don't know about you, but I love Valentine's Day and the stage of life I am in. I hope you enjoy what Valentine's Day brings you too.