Valentine Memories

When I was in "grammar school", as it was called in the "olden days"....Valentine's Day was a very special occasion for our class. I went to a very small elementary school and we had 2 grades in each classroom.  I remember one year in particular.  I was probably in about 3rd grade...which would have made me about 8 years old (?!?!)....anyway....our  teacher would wrap a cardboard box (with a slot cut in the top) with white paper....and our class would cut out red hearts and use paper doilies to decorate it, and each student would put their Valentines for their friends in the box.  Now....for those of you who are about my age....you'll remember that back then they didn't have all the fancy-smanchy Valentines that you can buy today....no....it was pretty much the same box of Valentine's for everybody.  There were about 3 HUGE Valentines in the back of the box....and they were GORGEOUS....sorta like the one above.  They were the ones that you hoped you would get.  I can remember asking the teacher for a list of names of everybody in the class....because my Mom made sure that I gave a card to each classmate.  It was just sad that not everybody's Mom was that thoughtful....because I didn't get Valentine's from all my classmates....and I NEVER got one of those big, pretty ones (you know...the ones with the glitter). Then...on to high school...Valentine's Day would come around and the office would be filled to the brim with bouquets of flowers and balloons....girl's names would be called over the intercom to "come to the office, please"....but....once again....my name was never called!!!  I do remember my good friend, Darlene, had a boyfriend....Ricky.....who I guess must have felt sorry for me because he knew I didn't have a boyfriend....and he bought me a heart-shaped box of candy one year.  (Darlene, if you're reading this, I hope that didn't upset you!!)I will NEVER forget that act of kindness!!!   Why am I sharing this?!?!  Not sure.....it's just a part of my "Valentine Memories"!!!  Some of the not so pleasant ones!!! Blessings to you!!! In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!