Happy Valentine's Day!

Love it or hate it...it's here again. Valentine's Day! If you have read my previous Valentine's Day posts then you know that I am rather fond of this day of love (and not because I'm married or in a relationship). I've always enjoyed it and how it gives us all an excuse (and sometimes we do need one) to share/spread/profess our love/like/kindness to the people in our lives.

My daughter and I put together just over 30 Valentine's Day cards for her friends at school and at Sparks. It was a great activity for us to do together - being with each other, chatting with each other, and figuring out love together. And what a fun filled day she had at school with activities, snacks, playing, and distributing her cards (which had a rad pirate theme!). I came across her cards at Armelle Blog (for personal use only). We tucked in a couple of gold wrapped chocolate coins and a red foil wrapped heart as the treasure.

I did some silly little games (Mad Lips, yep lips for Valentine's Day & a left/right Valentine's Day store with prizes) with my with high school students yesterday and you know what? No one complained. And as much as they want to be adults they all still want to belong and be loved. I kind of wish (in a small way) that they could do Valentine's cards for everyone in their classes until the day they graduate. And sure that wouldn't work for all kinds of reasons but I did challenge them all to go out into the halls and wish someone they didn't know a Happy Valentine's Day (maybe, another student who looked like they were having a bad day or are walking along without a crowd of friends).  I sure hope a few of them did. The more kindness I can infuse into their lives the better.


With all the prep for kindergarten and Sparks Valentine's cards, food for the K - class, games for my high school students and a few little surprises for my own sweethearts, I didn't end up sending out any homemade Valentine's cards like I have been doing for the last few years. So I've decided to send out some encouragement cards (which can go out any time of course). Oh Target Canada I am going to miss your dollar section and your great cards.


Speaking of rad cards I received a lovely one from my sweet husband. And melt my heart - he knows I love a gorgeous compass design and I'll take the "I'd be lost without you" sentiment any day of the week.  Our big plans for tonight are Vietnamese food (a first for us!) and renting a movie for when the kids are in bed.

And while love is generally what is on the agenda for today...I had a friend offer up a different word to me today and it meant just as much, "I really do trust you." Wow, what a beautiful thing to hear on Valentine's day (or any day) - means so much!

I hope that whatever your plans are today you know that you are loved and you are enough. My favourite piece of wisdom for the day is: When in doubt, be kind.

873/1000 - Okay, just three.

Special Days...

We can send cards for all kind of days and special occasions - whether they are store bought or  handmade...and we do (at least I do)...Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Graduations...and many more. And I know some people who think that some of these are made up days or "hallmark" holidays. I love any excuse to send mail to someone and share my like/love/friendship with them.

That first kiss lead to this...yep, had a feeling.

But why not come up with your own special days - they often can be the most important and memorable. Every year I wish my husband a Happy First Kiss Day (not sure why I kept it in my mind but I remember it) - April 9th. I just realized as I am writing this blog post that this past one was actually our 10th First Kiss Anniversary. And really, I'm pretty sure that I kept track of the day because I had an inkling after that first kiss, that maybe, just maybe he might be a keeper (and yay, he was). I absolutely remember the day he proposed December 17th - a Friday - the last day of classes before Christmas Break (a happy day for two teachers...made even happier). He gets a lot of mail from us at work (Happy first week of classes, Happy last day of classes, We miss you/Love you...).

One of my sister-in-laws is a twin and in her family they celebrate Twin Day - the day their Mom found out she was having twins! Think about the fun you could have with this! The day someone you know gave up Diet Coke (okay that was me 106 days ago - going strong!) or the day someone you know made THE perfect cupcake/apple pie/_________ fill in your blank (a day that will go down in history perhaps or infamy). Or if you don't have a special day just yet send out a Happy Talk like a Pirate Day note (September 19th - marrrrrk it down on your calendarrrrr matey) or need something closer...Lollipop Day is July 20th...even closer...Go Barefoot Day on June 1st! See how fun this is.

Happy Thursday at least!

365/1000 - one today - a little celebration card just because :)