That's right. That's me, a self-proclaimed Valentines' Day hater. Sort of. If my husband walked through the door on Valentines' Day with a dozen red roses and a box of chocolates, well, let's just say, it'd be a mistake he'd only make once.
I know there are other haters out there. And I know there are people out there who don't understand why I harbor such animosity for such a fluffy, feel-good holiday.
It boils down to two things. One: I was a florist in college and the parade of bouquet-seekers - typically men - coming in on February 14th at 5 o'clock left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I'd like a dozen red roses, please. I wanted to scream, "Be creative!!! I have some crimson kangaroo paws over here. How 'bout some tulips?"
Do you have any baby's breath to go with the roses? And ferns? And a card? No. No. And no. Would a little originality hurt?! C'mon, guys.
Two: Why February 14th? Why only one day a year? What about the other 364 days?!? You know, I actually blame the women for perpetuating this. Ladies, if your man tells you how much you mean to him all year long, give the man a break. Don't make him buy you flowers on the one day when the usual 300% markup on flowers jumps to a 600% - or more. Don't insist on chocolates or jewelry. I mean, those things are nice, really nice. But they are even more fantastic when he's getting them because he thought of you on a Tuesday in the middle of August...not on the day that Hallmark wants to up their sales.
I am not a complete 'grinch' or whatever the Valentines' Day equivalent is.
Every year that the boys have been in school, I spend hours with them, making cards and treats for their classmates. We usually make some cutesy little homemade card with a themed homemade treat. One year, Riley wanted to make these pink-feathered flamingos he had seen in one of my craft magazines that hang on a pencil; I burned my arm on the glue gun, more than once, but I smiled through it because he was so proud of those cards.
Last year we made gingerbread owls with cards that asked "Whhhhhooooooo wants to be your Valentine? I dooooooooo." We had to make gluten-free owls, nut-free owls, and even one dairy-free owl to accommodate the allergies in the classes. But, again, I did it all with a smile because the boys were so excited about their cards...after one edit. Dylan refused to sign the first cards because I had printed "Love, ___________." All he had to do was sign his name and write their names at the top. He looked at me and said, "Mom, I can't sign that. I don't love her. That's a lie."
This year, thankfully, I get a pass on the school cards. The Mann Clan will still be celebrating, enjoying each other's company, imbibing, and indulging. But we do that anyway...all year long.
When we were at my grandfather's funeral last week, Riley asked me if he could have the camera. Dylan was about the receive the flag that had been draped over the casket and I knew the photos that I wanted to take. Only having brought one camera, I knew that if he didn't take the photos I wanted, I wouldn't get a second chance. But I took a deep breath, removed the strap from my neck, and handed over the camera. More deep breaths.
Riley has only been in 5th grade for three days and already I am smitten with the teaching team and their über-cool homework projects. Last night one of his optional assignments was to recreate their Spaghetti-Marshmallow Challenge at home with their families. Build something? With food??! Oh, yeah. That was a must, though I didn't have any "real marshmallows." I had homemade - square - agave syrup marshmallows that Riley scoffed at. "Mom, those are perfect for hot chocolate, but not my project." Fine. So, off I went to Safeway with an hour before bedtime...to get "marshmallows that other people have in their homes." 
Denmark. We leapt from the couch, especially for Zia Rikke and Ulla. Godt NytÅr!
