Valentines Randoms <3

I don’t think it is any secret that I love Valentines Day and St. Patricks Day. Both are fun and the expectations are as big or little as you want them to be. St. Patty’s Day is a notch less stress free as it doesn’t require any kind of card or gift for anyone no matter how close they are in your inner circle. 

But who minds showing love to friends and family? Cards, sweet treats, maybe even a gift – it’s all a grab bag of fun all day for Valentines.

I have to admit this year, I did right by our family; but it was a missed opportunity for friends. Short of some texts, I failed to do any cookies or cards this year. So here are some randoms to celebrate the day of love and friendship with anyone who shows up on the Journey today. 

Random #1

I remember one Valentine’s Day my parents were traveling. As a junior in high school, I was set up to stay at a friend’s house while they were gone. My parents called me to wish me a Happy Valentine’s Day and let me know they had left a gift at home. I drove over to our house and found my little stash of presents where they had been safely tucked away. We always made it a special day and this touched my heart.

My memory fails on what all was in the pile, but I do remember well a small pair of silver heart earrings from my dad. I still have them in my jewelry box and they are a sweet reminder of the way my parents didn’t forget they wouldn’t be able to celebrate with me that year. 

Caroline asked me recently how old I was when I got my ears pierced. I was sixteen and it was a gift from my father. A true gift as my mother adamantly refused to have any part of me having this right of passage. According to her, no nice girls got her ears pierced. I was pretty sure a lot of my teachers and many of her friends were nice girls and yet had pierced ears but on this, she would not budge. 

I think my dad muttered finally that being nice probably had more to do with other choices than having your ears pierced and he gave me my first pair and the money to have them done. Over time, and I mean a long time, my mom mellowed and eventually purchased some for me as well. 

Random #2

This one is weird. But I told you…it’s randoms. 

I worked in the kitchen at church today and learned a wonderful hack I have to share. It follows the theme because it will do your heart good to learn this amazing trick. 

When I asked where to drain the grease from the browned sausage, I was guided to put foil in a cooking pan and then set a strainer down into this. The grease is captured in the foil and you won’t clog your drain! 

Amazing! Am I the last one to learn this?

Random #3

Even more random. 

When I cracked open an egg today, I had an experience I have never had and hope to never have again. The yolk was mostly red and you could see the beginnings of a little chicken’s heart, I guess. 

My first response was to let out a yelp. 

My second was to feel very sorry for this little fellow who never had a chance.

And my third was extreme gratitude that my mom taught me to always crack eggs into a separate bowl one a time in case you dropped a shell or there was a problem with the egg. I never understood what kind of “problem” there could be…until today. 

Random #4

On a lighter note…When John was little, he asked me if he could get one of those candy boxes shaped like a heart for his a friend who happened to be a girl. I said of course. They were buddies and remained buddies for many, many years. 

And many, many years we couldn’t resist getting one of those small boxes and dropping it off at her door. He would ring the bell and run to my car, parked down the way a bit. While the friendship drifted apart with time and distance, the memories hold fast and are precious. 

Another reason I love this holiday. All the sweet and fun reminders of love and friendship do the heart good. 

Random #5

Speaking of girls and boys and Valentines Day…last night we left Rachel working on addressing Valentines with the three youngest grands. She had ordered the cutest little items and made fun cards for them to attach. 

As we were leaving, we asked Graham if middle school has any kind of party. He said they don’t, but he had some treats mom had ordered to give his friends. 

But only the boys, he clarified. 

Emmett overheard him and cried out that you can’t do that. You have to give to everyone. His brother argued back that he certainly did not need to give to any girls. 

I had to laugh. 

While Graham definitely has the short end of the stick with harder homework, longer papers to write and middle school drama that his three siblings are still free from; at least he has entered the age where he doesn’t have to give a Valentine to a girl unless he really wants to. 

And then I gulped remembering it won’t be long before we have that bridge to cross….

Hope I made you smile and remember some of your own Valentine joys…have a wonderful day that fills your heart with joy <3