These are my thoughts on Valentine's Day

I think it is easy to hate Valentine's Day. I think it is easy to see couples everywhere and think about all the things you want and don't have. Honestly, I've caught myself feeling this way more often then I want to admit. But this year I have a new perspective on this particular holiday and it all comes down to this: 

As with all holidays in 2nd grade, today things were a little crazy and I was completely frazzled. As the bell rang and I was wildly trying to calm down twenty over-stimulated 7-year olds (and one frantic teacher), the last student walked in the door. He was holding a bouquet of gorgeous flowers and wearing a smile from ear to ear. He handed me the flowers, wrapped his tiny arms around me and said simply "Happy Valentine's Day Miss Savage!"

My heart melted. I stopped running around like a chicken with my head cut off, stopped worrying about what all the moms were going to think when they came in for the V-Day party and saw 7-inch piles of papers on my desk, stopped stressing about not having enough paper hearts and I saw Valentine's Day as I saw it in 2nd grade. 

In 2nd grade it doesn't matter who 'likes' you or who is in love with you because at the end of the day, you are going to get a valentine from every kid in your class. And even if someone didn't give you one, you had 20 others in your bag.  In 2nd grade you don't think about the valentines you didn't get.

In 2nd grade the best part about Valentine's day is going to the store and choosing a box of valentine cards. It's sorting through your cards and finding the perfect one for each kid in your class. In 2nd grade you worry more about the ones you give. 

In 2nd grade you give someone a bouquet of flowers for all the right reasons. Because they are an important part of your life. Because you love them.

You see in 2nd grade it's not about being in love. It's just about love.

Today I saw that love in a little boys eyes and ever since I've seen Valentine's day in a different light. 

I thought about flowers and chocolates and handwritten cards and (not so) secret valentines from my sister.

I thought about the cookies I made with my roommates and (very) secretly delivered to someone who needed them tonight.

I thought about love. All the people I love. All the people I know love me. 

And thanks to that cute little boy with the flowers, I didn't think about being single. 

Happy Valentine's Day!