VALENTINE PRECIOUS MEMORIES

Momma and Daddy never made a big deal out of Valentine’s Day. I mean we always knew it was in February because our grade school teachers planned activities around it. Daddy would sometimes bring Momma a heart shaped card. But she made a red velvet cake. There were no decorations, just a cake with frosting. And whomever dropped by, got a piece. That is how we celebrated…by sharing. I realize that now.

At school, we were given white flimsy paper plates to color and decorate. Our name was to be written in bold letters on the front. One was a full round paper plate with holes punched close to the edges. The other was a half of a paper plate with holes also punched closely to the edge. We were given yarn to “sew” the plates together to form a pouch to receive our valentines. These would be taped to the bottom of the chalkboard, where the eraser sat. There would be a long line of “mailboxes” waiting for their letters. And of course, some were prettier than others. You might say some kids were just not that artistic or imaginative but no worries. No one really cared back then. We just wanted to have our mailboxes filled up.

I usually spent the night before we were to deliver our valentines attempting to match the right person in my class with the right valentine. There were little quotes on the cards that said “Be Mine” and “Just for You.” Carefully I would sign the back of the card and slip it into the envelope. Then one of my classmates’ names would be written on the envelope. I will say some of my classmates didn’t bother to put names on the envelopes or even sign the cards, especially the boys. They could just get rid of them faster. My teacher would call us up and the girls would carefully place the valentines in the correct “mailbox.” The boys would hurriedly drop theirs in each “mailbox” as they certainly did not want to appear to like this activity.

It was so much fun opening each one and reading them. Taking them home to share with the family was also a thrill because Momma and Daddy sat patiently while I spread them out over the kitchen table. Back then, in our small community, everyone knew each other. Our parents knew each other. So when I said this valentine was from Barbara, they knew of whom I was speaking. I kept them for awhile and then of course, they were forgotten and disappeared. That meant Momma probably threw them away.

I have to say that in the first grade, I was in love with a little boy named Matt. He might have been in love with me, too because he gave me a chocolate candy heart valentine. My first gift at Valentines! Life was surely grand at seven years old. Yes, I was seven in the first grade. There was no such thing as kindegarten back then. No pre-school. I went to school at seven knowing very little and came out of the first grade reading well and ready for second grade. Yes, life was simple and easy going. I will treasure those memories in my heart. I am still friends with many of the kids I went first through twelfth grade with in that little community. There’s a thing called “Facebook” that allows us to watch each other’s children and grandchildren grow up. We also learn of the sadder events such as death, too. But this is the cycle of life. Enjoy each day. I say that now as I have passed the peak of the rainbow. Moments become more precious.

To celebrate Valentines, I like to bake a heart shaped cake or brownie and give it away. I have made homemade cakes, red velvet cakes, and box cake mixes as well as cupcakes. There is no wrong sweet to bake on Valentines Day. I make the week about giving.

The cake below is a simple box chocolate cake with a buttercream icing. I love using the disposable tips and bags. I take a little paint brush and put some pink stripes on the inside of the piping bag, then fill it with white buttercream. When you pipe, the pink and white come together just enough so that the colors are separate. Just like some of the valentines, I remember.

On this Valentines week or any day of the year, make someone’s day by making them a little something. How about just slicing them a piece of the cake that you made for your family. There are so many folks out there with no one to remind them that this is a month to love each other and share.

“I hope your day, your week, your years are full of love and giving.”

—the flour diaries