Three Little Words

Anna Cate and I sat down Tuesday night to begin the annual ritual of stuffing candy bags and signing valentines for her classmates. As we stuffed, she guessed which classmate would like what valentine and wondered if the boys in her class would mind getting a "girly" card from her. She really wanted to put names on each card, but I explained that to make it fair and equal, we would just label each one "my friend". Valentine's Day is another event that has changed significantly since I was a child and for the most part, I think that is a good thing.

Because, as we talked, I remembered a girl by the name of Mary Beth. She wasn't very well-liked in my 5th grade class. Looking back, I can't quite recall why, but I had just been added to the official social ladder the previous year and was really still focused primarily on staying there and in turn, did not have time to analyze why some children were still left out. But, I do remember the look on her face as she passed out all her handmade cards with such excitement. And, the sadness that replaced that look when she returned to her seat (of course by me, because the teachers always sat me by the outcasts because they knew I would be nice to them) to find only two valentines in her own little box. Oh, the cruelty of children.

But, then again, there is some merit in getting a valentine with your name on it, that contains a special message just for you. The only other significant memory of elementary Valentine's Day parties I remember is of receiving my first "true" valentine. It was from a little boy named, Adam, and I was in 3rd grade. All the valentines had been given and we all were sitting in little groups - boys on one side of the room and girls on the other. I was quietly opening the individual little envelopes and when I turned his over, I saw written in tiny little print three words, "I love you". I remember feeling embarrassed and turning it over again and again just to make sure it was really there.

So, in an effort to be fair to everyone, little moments like that one disappear from children's lives, which I find to be sort of sad. In a strange turn of events, Anna Cate's "valentine" had to withdraw from school last week and was able to give his valentines early. And guess what was written on the back of Anna Cate's card? Three little words..."I love you".