Delayed Thoughts on Valentine's Day

Valentines Day 2006.

My Valentine's Day was not romantic, but sweet.

I spent the day with 20 blossoming first graders who showered each other with valentines and candy.

Memorable moments from the day:

~After observing the heightened excitement in the room first thing in the morning, I thought it wise to have a little talk with the kiddos. Me: What is today? Kids: Valentine's Day!!! Me: So it's not go crazy day? Kids: No. Me: Oh good. So we're going to have a normal day with a party at the end. Kids: A Party?! Me: Well I hope so, wouldn't that be fun? Kids: Yes!! Me: Then let's do good work today, and help each other keep that party because it is not go crazy day.

Go Crazy Day? Sounds like Miss Armijo is desperate to not have total anarchy fueled by candy and Batman Valentines.

~Kids delivering valentines is a sight to behold. It can really unite a classroom because, of course, the rule is you have to bring valentines for everybody. Their little faces just sparkle each time someone would add a valentine to their bag. They didn't even seem to care about the candy, they just wanted the valentines.

~A page from a daily calendar saying that though Valentine's Day is a romantic holiday, and it would seem that spouses and significant others would be the focus of valentines day, that honor actually goes to teachers. And is it any wonder when you are very nearly the center of 20 children's universe?

In my college years for valentine's I would often find myself on a group date, or not really doing much of anything. I figured I just had to bide my time and wait for someone to sweep me off my feet with romance, love, candy, sweet notes, and the like. I will wait for the grown up romance, but for now seeing my kids' little cups running over with sincere affection for each other and myself was enough to keep me hanging on.

There are days when I am tired and I feel like I can't do a single thing more for those kids. Then there are days when we transcend the harriedness and the tiresomeness together, and from that vantage point I get to see these kids perhaps the way God sees them. As blessings. They are so pure of heart and so true to their real selves. And I realize I am in an enviable position. I can't think of a single other profession where one has the opportunity daily to interact with people who are real and fresh and wide-eyed and love readily and with abandon.

Happy Valentine's Day to the kids in Room 703!