February 14 St. Valentine's Day

I've been thinking about my first Valentine's Day impressions and this is what I came up with:

Do you remember "having to" fill out Valentine's Day cards in grade school?  I sure do.  We had to be fair and make one out to everybody in the class.  The obligatory Valentine. Where's the "special-ness" in that?  I just didn't like that everyone was obligated to give each other a Valentine.  Psh.... can I just give one to the boy I thought was neat?  Or receive one from someone that thought I was neat? Those are my grade school feelings about that...

On to middle school.  We would have "dedications" that we could send out to each other, usually in the form of a carnation flower with a note tied to it and delivered during class.  I guess that was nice. Until a friend would sign one anonymously as "secret admirer".  Imagine a pre-teen's frenzied mind trying to figure out who the mystery person is??  Just to find out at the end of day that it was a friend being sweet.  Sweet?! Imagine the let-down?

Now on to high school...  First off, my first job ever was at a flower shop.  (Ye Olde Flower Shoppe in Coronado, CA).  It is still around but under different ownership.  On weekends I would work at the flower shop and had all the flowers that I could ever want or need.  Valentine's Day for me usually meant work. Super busy helping people "be romantic" and thoughtful.  That's when I realized it shouldn't be that hard and not done up for one day. February 14.  It's almost expected.  That, to me, is just no fun.  Did I receive flowers on Valentine's Day? Sure, from my MOM who is a professional florist.  If a boy did send any to me it was at a discount and from my MOM. Oooh....romantic (yes, intended sarcasm).

As a grown up I have a wonderful, romantic man in my life that will shower me with flowers on random days.  It doesn't require a date of 2/14!

So, thank you grade school teachers for giving me my first "fair"-ness laden obligatory Valentine's Day impressions!

Disclaimer:
Don't get me wrong...I've had my share of wonderful Valentine's Day celebrations with my sweetheart.  One I will never forget is when my hubby (then boyfriend) made a surprise candlelight dinner for me.  Surf & Turf (fave).  Steak and lobster and lots of love, what more can a girl ask for?  Also, I have been a recipient of gorgeous arrangements from my hubby delivered at work - yes, I've been "that girl" who office mates would swoon and tell me that I am so lucky (true, I am)!  I'm lucky that hubby doesn't need a commercialized holiday to prove love to me.  Proof is in the everyday....

Edit:  I think that I'm a Valentine's Day beliver once again... thanks to my Hubby's Gift.