While I agree with the idea that Valentine’s Day capitalizes on people’s affection for each other, and we shouldn’t need a specific day to show our love, I’ve always had such fond memories of the day.
That’s all thanks to my amazing parents who have always made sure that I know how loved I am. Taking the opportunity to not only share the love with one another, but to let Michael and me join in on the festivities, they never fail to go the extra mile for us, and for that I am so grateful.
I have a distinct memory of a brownie with heart sprinkles hidden on top of the fridge one year before a family dinner, and others of cards and candy always waiting outside our doors.
Growing up, I remember my dad always bringing home Anthony Thomas chocolate covered strawberries for my mom, which he still does. I would never fail to eat some of them, and so he started to buy me a box every year too. Those strawberries became a mid-February staple that I came to appreciate more each year and knew I would miss when I left home.
My freshman year of college, I mentioned that I would miss that tradition. So, instead of letting it fade away, my dad searched through all the places in Tuscaloosa to made sure I still got my chocolate covered strawberries. Attached was a note to the effect of, ‘You’ll always be my little girl’ and it was the best possible touch on a gift that I thought had run its course as I left home and moved on. I even had a boyfriend at the time, but those strawberries were still so meaningful because of all the memories that came with them.
To a similar end, my mom has always been sure to make holidays and events special, which she exceeded to do in my senior year of high school. I woke up on February 1st that year to a heart cut out of construction paper, with a compliment on it. These continued through the month, not ending on Valentine’s day, but covering my bedroom door all the way until the end of the month.
I had expected that was my final time at home for the holiday, so she was going all out for one last year.
I was wrong.
I woke up to a text earlier in the month and, lo and behold, there was a picture of a pink paper-heart taped to the door and more sweet words from my mom. It made my day each time I woke up to those texts, and knowing how she took the time to cut out the hearts and tape them to the door when I would not even receive the physical product just shows how she goes the extra mile.
Both of my parents are such generous, loving people who have always done the most for me. It’s not about the gifts or money or the societal expectation to do these things, but about the using the holiday in its truest form, for simple acts of kindness that mean so much to the people we love.
So thanks Mom and Dad, for being the best Valentines out there. xoxo
Leave a Reply