Homemade Valentines are the Best

Valentine's Day - 2nd grade - I was eight.

I had a crush on 2 very cute boys - one blonde, one brunette - Jimmy Woodland and Todd Handley.

I loved them both. But - Jimmy won the prize that Valentine's Day by delivering an over-sized, heart-shaped envelope, handmade out of construction paper and chock full of more homemade Valentine's, just for me. I felt like a queen! Jimmy had 2 older sisters - they were big 4th and 6th graders - who helped him design this Valentine creation just for me. I loved my valentine so much that I think I kept it till I graduated from high school. And, for the record, in all my years of school, no boy ever matched that 2nd grade valentine gift from Jimmy Woodland.

I am sure part of the reason I loved Jimmy's valentine so much was that he made it for me. Today, after celebrating Valentine's Day in their individual classrooms and examining the collection of valentines each had received, my girls unanimously agreed that homemade valentines are the best of all! When I was in elementary school, I remember going to the store with my mom and picking out tiny valentine cards (perhaps Holly Hobbie, cute animals, or some other random design) that I would sign, sometimes fold in half and put in equally tiny envelopes, then deliver to the desks of each of my classmates at school the next day (naturally giving the boys my least favorite valentines). My girls' valentine-giving experience has been a bit different. In the early days of our school, we were not only encouraged, but required to make our valentines - no store bought allowed. Through the years we have stamped, painted, drawn, and even baked the loveliest of valentines. However, as our school has grown and time has gone by, store bought valentines are now acceptable at classroom valentine celebrations. Although, we have chosen to continue with the "make your own" tradition even though we are no longer required to do so. As my girls came home and looked through their collections of Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Star Wars, Sponge Bob, and other various themed valentines, the valentines that really got their attention were those handmade by their friends. What better way to say "Be mine"?

Lacey used stickers and pink cardstock to create her valentines.

Madi went with a "David Archuleta-themed" valentine - surprise, surprise!

Katie designed bookmarks for her classmates and teachers.