Today is one of the most exciting days of the school year for kids. They started signing the backs of Barbie and Sponge Bob weeks ago, as soon as store shelves were free of cone hats, bad champagne and noise makers. They painstakingly match their friends to the winning media flavor of the day, slide them in the tiny envelopes, bag them to take them to school. It's mid January. Only a month to go.
I know why they like it. Everyone in the class has to give everyone in the class Valentines, whether they like the person or not. Now that is unconditional love, isn't it? Whether you're the one who always skips someone in the line to P.E., the kid who yells out answers to "raise your hand" questions, the guy who not on purpose spits in your face every time he says an s, and even if you're the one who accidentally on purpose called someone a butt last week, you get some glossy paper love.
I also know why that doesn't really fly much past 3rd grade because at some point in our development we figure out that the kids who called us stupid really think we are. We find out that the guy who consistently nods a smiley good-morning-how-are-ya', thinks that just because you exist, his life is now a living hell. We figure all that stuff out as we go along and there is not much tolerance for hypocrisy when cards are $4.50 apiece.
We grow up and can tell who likes us and who doesn't, and feel no compulsion to valentine those who don't. We do realize, however, how much this day can mean to those close to us. In today's world, hard-copy proof that someone loves you can be very comforting.
So Mom, print this.
