2/11/13

The Love Man Cometh- and he's wearing a diaper....




When I was in kindergarten a little boy in my class brought me flowers for Valentines Day.  Unfortunately I was a bit shy back then and I refused them.  A bit later that day I was called into the principal’s office (The first of MANY visits.) and was asked very nicely by the principal why I wouldn’t accept her son’s flowers.  I immediately started crying hysterically (Oh my gosh I still do that when I go the principal’s office- now I know why!) until she finally ushered me back to class.  I have given and received many a Valentine’s Day gift since then.  In fact, the truth of the matter is, I remember more Valentine’s Day gifts than I do birthday gifts. 

I also vividly remember the first boy I ever loved.  His name was Robbie Drisholl.  He was in my third grade class, and just the cutest boy you’d ever, ever seen.  I loved him, I really did!  There was only one problem - my sister, who was in my class, loved him too.   Kathy had long, brown hair that went to her waist, pretty blue eyes, and won our in-class “Simon Says” dance contest.  (The Archies song, remember?)  Unfortunately the dance contest was held on the same day I snuck to school wearing my mother’s garter belts and nylons that kept falling around my ankles.  It was not a pretty sight and needless to say I had no chance with Robbie Drisholl, or making the Simon Says dance team.  My heart was broken on Valentines Day, and I didn’t have the principal to help me out. 

In each chapter of your life this particular day means many different things.  When you are very young it is about giving valentines to your classmates, and how many valentines you receive in turn.  It’s about decorating the Valentine’s Day bag, box or envelope.  We’re immersed in glitter, glue, foil paper and doilies! (The bigger, the sparklier, the better!!!)  The Valentine’s Day party in elementary school is the biggest and most anticipated party of the year.  It’s even bigger than Halloween, believe it or not.  At this age everyone receives a valentine, everyone!  If only that would continue into middle school and high school- far few people would be in therapy, I’m sure.  

When we began our discussion about Valentine’s Day this year, most of the kids decided that Valentine’s Day was about buying stuff for people.   According to Kevin, our resident “Little Professor”, if you really, really, really love someone, you buy that person a card AND some candy. Most of the kids agreed that you buy people cards on Valentines Day.   Our discussion then took many twists and turns, as by now you all know.  We talked about love, candy, doll babies, Egypt (I don’t even know how that came up.), slavery, puppies, Carissa’s sister Heather’s turtles, and someone’s transformer.  There was a brief, somewhat hysterical discussion about the “love man” who the kids told me was pink, had an arrow “fing”, made people love each other, and wore a diaper.  After I regained some control over the discussion (which is never easy) I decided to poll some other classes about what love means. I simply couldn’t hold the attention of these five-year old munchkins who wanted nothing to do with love, but desperately wanted to talk about transformers.  Here are the sweet results. 


Love looks like pink letters and doily’s; love looks like sweet things; love looks weird; love looks like a heart; love looks like Justin Beiber; and love looks like cupid.


Love feels warm in your heart; love feels


Love smells like vanilla; love smells like chocolate; love smells like flowers; love smells like roses; and love smells like boys and gentlemen.  


Now that I am fifty-COUGH-something, I often look back and think about love, and the many times love has come along in my life.   The most surprising love of all is the love you feel the moment you lay eyes on your precious child.  It is honestly a feeling that is so very hard to describe.  (Those of you fortunate enough to have children out there know what I am talking about.)  This love grows and grows until you think that your heart will probably burst.  (I will say, however, that during the years of 14 – 18, this love camouflages itself with another emotion entirely.) 



When all is said and done, it really is all about love.  As the years go by we come to know these truths:  Love breaks our hearts, love lifts us up, love fills us, love heals us, and love saves us.  And, of course, we all know it’s true – and didn’t the Beatles say it so well - all you need is love.


18 comments:

Marissa said...

I have had some sucky Valentine's Days (tubes in my ears w/adenoidectomy at age 5), making a huge card for a boy in 6th grade then finding out he had a girlfriend already (and so many other people knew already...oops). But this year as my husband embark on an insane year, I look forward to that holding our baby feeling, graduating, and building our house. All acts of love...and all things that will give my waterproof mascara a workout :-)

Mrs Catch said...

Just lovely! Her's hopin165323tsialeng we both have happy valentines this year!

Mrs Catch said...

Whoops! How did that verification end up in there?

Ellie Mae said...

ahhhh, sigh, remembering those long ago valentine's days and the deciphering of what EXACTLY that boy you liked meant by the words on the store bought boxed valentines in your so thoughtfully and painstakingly decorated envelope, can, box or whatever was the receptacle your class was given to decorate. Such anticipation!

Brian Miller said...

smiles...never really been much about valentines personally...i mean i make sure i take care of business that day...but, its the other days that def make it worth it for me...not when it is expected...and the love of your child...or when you realize you are going to get to spend the next bit of life with the one you love...those are the best days....

A Speckled Trout said...

Love is lovely.............just like this piece.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Just lovely! Thank you for sharing these touching thoughts with us.

So. Cal. Gal said...

My first love was Alex Jung in 5th grade. A 'friend' told him how I felt and embarrassed the boogers out of me. Thankfully, he moved shortly thereafter. Shwew! But he's the reason I've always been attracted to blue-eyed blondes.

I don't have kids but I know how fierce my mom gets when it comes to one of her kids. If you're on the receiving end, it ain't pretty. ; )

So. Cal. Gal said...

Whoops! I got distracted...my most memorable V-Day was when my high school 'stalker' (an Orville Redenbacher look-alike) rode his bike to my house with a box of chocolates, a mushy card and a floating heart necklace. I slammed the door in his face because I was so embarrassed, and wanted nothing to do with him...hey, I was 15!)

Japolina said...

"(I will say, however, that during the years of 14 – 18, this love camouflages itself with another emotion entirely.) "

I needed to hear this today. I have a 14 year old who has gone from sweetie pie to meanie :( My mantra is "it's just a phase, its just a phase"

SanH said...

Hope you have a great Valentine's day and I am sure you will have some stories to share from your class. Can't wait to hear them

The Girl Next Door said...

"Love smells like Vanilla" now there's one I haven't heard before! Awesome. Love this post, love the love kids have in their hearts. And hoping the many forms of love find you this year.

Me? I have a trial on valentine's Day. that is hilarious to me. but then I go to Sanivel Island with the Love of my Life - well the one who is not one of my kids. because yeah, that's an awesome indescribable love (and I can't spell today).

Suzie said...

Awww I love what you said about love and your children. But I also love how love is Justin Biber and power rangers.

ChiTown Girl said...

I hope you and Mr. Darcy have a lovely Valentine's Day together.

xoxox

SkylersDad said...

From a little girl:
“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.”

noexcuses said...

What a breath of fresh air you are! Loving your children just keeps getting better and better!

Wonderful post! I wish you a lovely Valentines Day!

Gigi said...

Making a mental note to email you an article from a local paper here. They usually ask the kids in one of the local elementary schools about Valentine's and the responses are HILARIOUS. As I'm sure you can imagine.

I loved this piece. And yes, those teenage years....not quite as cute as those elementary school years.

Anonymous said...

Love is a big deal and it is funny to see how children who are so innocent and full of imagination see it. They come up with crazy ideas!