Valentine's Day: Then and Now

I always dreaded Valentine's Day when I was in elementary school. As a chubby, shy child, I did not have a lot of friends. So, when you had to construct the envelope to hang on the front of your desk to collect Valentine's from classmates, I knew it was going to be sad. It was before the days of being sensitive, when the teacher says you have to give the cards to everyone or no one. In those days, you gave them to whomever you wanted, or more notably, did not give them to those you did not want to. I always had a small collection of cards, in contrast to my big collection of tears.
After twenty-something years of marriage, I can enjoy Valentine's Day with some cards, gifts and time with my family. It is hard not to remember how my feelings were hurt those many years ago and I try to caution my daughter not to hurt the feelings of others less pretty or popular than her. I did get several gifts today -- but, to me, the greatest gift is my husband always accepting me for myself, for which I am thankful.