Many years ago, a girlfriend mentioned her husband had never bought her flowers on Valentine’s Day. My heart was in the right place, but my brain was on vacation. I picked up the phone and ordered her a small arrangement with a card that read “From you know who,” assuming she would recall our recent conversation. But she didn’t, and gushed all over her husband when he got home from work. He was not amused. Lesson learned: Do not buy your married girlfriends flowers on Valentine’s Day. Have you ever committed a similar blunder?
Do you remember Valentine’s Day as a child with a smile? In most elementary schools, including Amish one-room schoolhouses, children bring Valentine’s Day cards for everyone in the class. A fun day to open them. Supposedly, no one is left out. But I heard one boy, now a man, was repeatedly excluded. As an adult, Valentine’s Day can be a burden or time of disappointment and regret.
If you exchange cards, it pays to shop early. Or make one!
I was near a card display the other day, so I purchased one for my husband early. Hope I can find it on February 14, a day when many (mostly men) will be hovering over the picked-over cards. Best to buy your honey’s card early. If you have a honey. If you don’t, the day can be awash with sadness. “A Hallmark holiday,” my father called it, meaning an occasion trumped up to guilt people into spending money.
A lesson learned along the way: Valentine’s Day is one of the most expensive days of the year to buy roses. I’ve already told my husband they’re not necessary as he just bought me roses last week. A card is sufficient.
My favorite Valentine’s Day roses from my husband.
A tip: Having worked in the restaurant business, I can assure you Valentine’s Day is not a great day to eat out unless you make your reservations early and can tolerate long lines and a frazzled staff.
Do you adore Valentine’s Day? Do you dress in red or pink? Do you remember with fondness giving and receiving Valentine’s Day cards or does the day fill you with anxiety? Do you decorate your home and celebrate, or wish you could skip Valentine’s Day?
John and Lydia are Amish-made dolls from Lancaster. Are they courting?
Leave a comment and enter to win Lydia and John, Amish-made dolls from Lancaster County, PA, plus a signed book from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: either Leaving Lancaster, it’s sequel Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish! Winner has three days to respond. USA and Canada.
I loved Valentine’s Day when I was in elementary school.I enjoyed making our Valentine card holder and then sitting and looking through all the beautiful cards.My daughter was crowned Valentine princess in kindergarten.I can still see the excitement on her face when I picked her up from school.Thanks for sharing this post,it brought back some great memories.Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Jackie! How exciting that your daughter was crowned princess in kindergarten. I bet that is a memory she’ll carry with her throughout her life. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I had so much fun in Minnesota on Valentine’s. We made memories never to forget. Later at a party some of the decorations were those cute vintage cards from those elementary days. I also remember my daughter’s first year of school. She was so excited about the Valentine’s Day party and to exchange her cards and then got the chicken pox. We still laugh about that time. But she was lucky that a neighbor girl in her class got them also so they partied together!
Thank you for leaving your charming letter, Sonja! What a fun story. I’m glad your daughter had a friend right next-door to party with. I recall when our younger son got chickenpox; a neighbor who was a nurse at a children’s hospital brought her son over to get it too. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Valentines Day is wonderful. It’s another wonderful special day to tell others how much they mean to you.
Good reminder, Juanita! We can never tell the ones we love how much they mean to us too often. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Valentine’s Day is a monumental failure! It is just my dog, my two cats, and I at home. They don’t have the money to buy me chocolates!
Sorry that your Valentine’s Day is a failure, Helen! Who knows; some unexpected blessing may occur. My husband is away at a conference this weekend and we don’t have a dog anymore … Thanks for leaving a comment and I’m wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I generally avoid Valentine’s Day since my children have become adults. The dolls are lovely. 🙂
I guess I’m avoiding it too as my husband is out of town, Deborah! Well, that’s not true as I’m writing about it right now. I figure we have 365 days a year to tell people we love them … Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway. I’m glad you like the dolls!
Kate
I just love valentine’s day, my sweat heart my husband of 47 years is my valentine’s all year around because he has the best,and biggest. Heart of all and he makes my heart all mushy inside when he smiles at me. I would love to win I .
Wow, after 47 years your husband still warms your heart when he smiles, Susie! He must be a fabulous man and so is his wife. Thanks for leaving your uplifting note. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
As a child I wanted the candy, cards weren’t really important, they don’t taste as good as chocolate. As I’ve aged I’ve find I prefer the random gifts for no reason. To me they mean, “just because I was thinking about you and want to show my love.” And it can be when my loved ones especially can afford to get something if they want. But the decorations around are pretty.
Thank you for your lovely note, Bonnie! I prefer random gifts also and am glad I have a husband who buys me flowers when he does the shopping. He even knows how to cut the ends of the roses and pick out the right vase. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Valentine’s day doesn’t have the same meaning when the one you love is no longer with us.
Good memories though. I would love to win the little Amish faceless dolls.
By the way…..my first little Great-GrandBaby was born today. Her name is Angel Marie.
How exciting, Maxine! Angie Marie is a darling name for your first great-grandbaby! I imagine she is adorable. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
What a fun post! And a great pre-Valentine’s Giveaway. Thanks for the chance to enter. 🙂
PS I love the dolls!
Thanks so much for your positive note, Sydney! I thought for Valentine’s Day I should offer something special. My gift to someone who enters. Fortunately, the winner is chosen at random because otherwise I could never select the right person. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Valentine’s Day is nothing special if you are shown love every day!! That doesn’t mean I don’t want a card or chocolates or something!!
I enjoyed your blog today. Thanks for sharing!
I would be thrilled to win your book and those adorable dolls. Thanks for giving them to the lucky one who wins!!
Thank you for writing, Kathy! I enjoyed reading your note and would be delighted if you ended up being the winner. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I remember in Kindergarten that we made a bag to put all of our Valentine’s in. Well, I made a black heart. We then had to tape it to the side of our desks so that the other kids could put a valentine in each bag. Personally, I didn’t care for Valentine’s Day.
Thanks for your honest appraisal of Valentine’s Day, Tammy! I smiled when I read that you made a black heart, a good sign you didn’t care for the day even back then. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love Valentine’s Day!!! Always loved making my Valentine box every year. Now I get to help my granddaughter. Boxes are more unique now. They have contest to see who can make the most original. She is going a cat box. Really cute and made from things around the house!!!!
The box sounds darling, Dianna! I bet your granddaughter is too. I wish I could see them both. Thanks for leaving your upbeat letter and entering the contest!
Kate
Valentine’s Day is a sweet, wonderful day. It is my daughter’s anniversary and a great day to party with the grands.
Are you the designated babysitter when your daughter and her husband go out on their anniversary, Melanie? No wonder you love the day so much. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Valentines is great, but in my house we try to be thankful for each other and tell each other what they mean to us each day. We do not go overboard on Valentine’s Day itself. Instead, my husband and I and our five children splurge and go out to eat together as a family to our favorite restaurant which is a special treat to all of us. While Valentine’s is an important day for so many, in our house we try to focus on the true loves in our lives, which are our family and Jesus who has given us the greatest gift of love.
I absolutely love the dolls and would love to win them as well as a copy of one of your books!
I’d love to have you win, Tiffany! Going out with your five children is like a celebration. Sounds as though the true loves in your life are much is same as mine. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I have became a huge fan of Amish based books over the past year. I absolutely love and admire the simplicity and devotion of their lifestyle. Is truly a relaxing experience to become 1 within the book. Will continue recommending these books to friends and family! Wishing each and everyone of you a Happy Valentine’s Day:)!!
As you can imagine I’m a huge fan too, Dawn! Reading an Amish novel before bed is the best way to get a good night’s sleep, in my opinion. Thanks for your lovely letter and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I’ve been crocheting hearts like crazy, for a little photo shoot with my four year old granddaughter. Hoping to use my Dad’s antique ’57 truck as the main prop. Would LOVE to win the Amish dolls!!!
I’d love to see your photo when it’s done, Donna! It would be fun for me too if you won the Amish dolls, but the winner is chosen by random. Yet, you never know … Good luck in the giveaway.
Kate
We always go out to dinner on Valentine’s Day.
Sounds like a wonderful Valentine’s Day tradition, Rachel! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love Valentine’s Day! It is not just for couples……… To me, it is reminder from God to take time to tell our loved ones……….. “I love you!” Of course we should tell them everyday, but it doesn’t hurt to have a reminder.
We decorate my mom’s beauty shop with hearts that light up! They are so pretty! My mom and dad always buy me Valentine’s Day gifts and I am 42. You never get too old for gifts!
I agree, Janet, reminders are good! Thanks for entering the giveaway! 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Kate
Oh I love your roses. I also really love the little amish dolls. I remember every Valentine day because I usually loose a gift somewhere that day as it is my birthday.
I guess when my husband goes and gets the tradiional flowers and or candy, or a regular gift he figures one or the other and it covers birthday and Valentines day.. I remember as a child I thought it neat that I got candy from my dad with my birthday present. I would truly love to win those amish dolls, just love thm. I also hope I get roses as pretty as the ones you received!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Judy! Valentine’s Day would always be special for you. Your father sounds like a sweetheart. A good dad is so important to a girl, more than most realize. I’d never seen roses wrapped like that and they really were special. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I Would be over the moon to win John and Lydia. I so want a Amish doll set. And the books really look good. Got to get those. I’m such a romantic and love Valentines Day.
My husband gets tickled at me. And calls me his silly valentine.
Hope you and your honey have a wonderful valentine’s day.
Your husband sounds like a sweetheart, Melissa! Hope you two enjoy the day. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Valentine’s Day to me is a day set aside to spent time with loved ones. This dose not mean just the boyfriend , girlfriend or spouse. But with the whole family. I like to spend time with my spouse and my kids.
But this year my spouse Chris has to work so i will be spending it my kids watching watching movies they like. We never buy cards or flowers we make them are self. That means so much more to all of us. But when all is done and said we wish all that we pass during the day a very happy Valentine’s day.
You have a great attitude, Jenny! I will wish all whom I pass a Happy Valentine’s Day too. My husband is at a conference far away. I’m used to it and chose to stay home. More time to write! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Kate
I live Valentine’s Day just so my husband & I can spend some quiet time together enjoying a specially prepared dinner!
I hope you and your husband enjoy your special dinner and quiet time, Elaine! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Yes, Valentine’s Day is great for showing those whom we care about, how we feel with flowers, candy etc. but every day should be Valentine’s Day ——–by the little things we do
I agree, Patti! I’d much rather be loved on a day-to-day basis with small acts of kindness than once a year. Thanks for your sage comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
My favorite Valentine’s day is when I was first in the relationship I’m in now. My boyfriend came out of nowhere with a puppy and was like here happy Valentine’s day. That was 7 years ago. I still have my baby Nyeve..
Did I understand you correctly, Jaime? Your boyfriend gave you a puppy without asking first? I guess he chose the right breed, since you still have both him and the dog. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love Valentine’s Day, because on Feb. 14, 2016, it will be my husband and my 57th wedding anniversary. I remember going after the wedding cake and the roads were icy. Tom lived 42 miles from me, so his family and friends had to come in bad weather, and it was amazing how many people made it. We have had many good memories over the years. This year we are going simple – Cracker Barrel with 3 other couples helping us celebrate.
Congratulations Marilyn and to your husband. Have a wonderful day. Cracker Barrel is a great choice. You also don’t have to wash the dishes. 🙂
Congratulations on your anniversary, Marilyn! Not many can boast of 57 years. Your fond memories of your wedding and those who drove in bad weather to attend made me smile. Thanks for your encouraging letter and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would love to add Lydia and John to my doll collection…and would love to win any of your books! Valentine’s Day holds many many memories of days gone by…lots of those with folks who are no longer with us…it is a sad time for me…but I enjoy making new memories with my grandchildren…
Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway, Mary! I wish I could see your doll collection. If you haven’t read my books, I hope you get a chance to soon. I’m sorry this is a sad time for you as it is for many who have lost loved ones. Glad to hear you’re making new memories with your grandchildren!
Kate
Happy Valentine’s Day Kate. I love Amish fiction. I love the life they live. God first then family and community. I don’t know if I could do without electricity and cars.. I suppose they don’t miss when they don’t have. This will be my first Valentine’s Day alone in more than forty-three years. Sadly for me, my husband was called home to heaven last March. I rejoice for him because he is no longer suffering. I know he is in heaven and I will see him when I’m called when my time on earth is over. I’m blessed to have our children and grandchildren. I’m expecting our first great grandchild this summer. I love your books and the sweet dolls.
I’m sorry for your loss, Betty. Even when our loved-one is suffering and we know we’ll see them in heaven someday, the pain can be excruciating. I’ve talked this over with several Amish women, who believe everything is God’s will; they also grieve. How wonderful that you’re expecting your first great grandchild the summer. Much to look forward to. I bet if you’re entire family lived next door or in close proximity you’d be willing to give up your car, and maybe even electricity. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I like Valentines Day. It gives cause to pause and remember and recognize those we love. We should do it more often. I love reading Amish books. It’s all I read. Thank you for the opportunity.
Thanks for writing, Diana! I agree: we should appreciate our loved-ones more often. I’m glad you enjoy Amish fiction. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate