Some of the Valentines Garth Has Given Me
Each Valentine’s Day, I wake up and head into the kitchen where I find a big, fat envelope with my name on it perched against the coffee maker. Garth always gives me an elaborate, blingy Valentine’s card…uncannily managing to find the perfect sentiment that reads like it was written especially for me, by him. Of course I understand that, like a horoscope, the hallmark of a commercial greeting card is in making it broad enough to appeal to a large number of people while at the same time making it feel like it was directed to each person individually, but then Garth always adds a very romantic and personal note that makes it truly special.
Some of the Valentines I’ve Given Garth
I loved making Valentine cards then, and I love it even more now.
For me, on the other hand, Valentine’s Day (or the day before, to be precise) is the perfect excuse to grab some scissors, glue, paint, or whatever — except doilies…never doilies — and play like a kid. I loved making Valentine cards then, and I love it even more now. I’m always on the lookout for “found” hearts occurring in nature that I can either glue on or take a photo of — leaves, petals, pebbles, the seaweed in my featured image. I might even make a little Valentine book. Whatever I do, my heart is in the making, knowing how much Garth will appreciate it.
Mixed Media Valentine Collage with Found Object
After we’ve exchanged cards and kisses, I make him something special for breakfast. (This year it will be a strawberry Dutch baby, but don’t tell him.) And then, normally, he takes me out for a special dinner. But, these are not normal times; this year it will probably be pizza — delivered.
P.S. In the midst of writing this story, I got up to take our dog, Teddy, for a walk. About a block away, he suddenly gave a little bark and stopped short, his gaze fixed on a squirrel that had scampered up a nearby tree. I stood there for a minute watching the two of them interact, then suddenly noticed this “found” heart in the bark of the tree. I had never even noticed it before. I swear I might have barked with delight!
Enjoy YOUR day. ❤️
Barbara BucklesArtist, writer, storyteller, spy. Okay, not a spy…I was just going for the rhythm.
I call myself “an inveterate dabbler.” (And my husband calls me “an invertebrate babbler.”) I just love to create one way or another. My latest passion is telling true stories live, on stage. Because it scares the hell out of me.
As a memoirist, I focus on the undercurrents. Drawing from memory, diaries, notes, letters and photographs, I never ever lie, but I do claim creative license when fleshing out actual events in order to enhance the literary quality, i.e., what I might have been wearing, what might have been on the table, what season it might have been. By virtue of its genre, memoir also adds a patina of introspection and insight that most probably did not exist in real time.
Bebe, delightful to see the beautiful hand-made and hand-crafted cards you’ve made for Garth! And how sweet to have spotted that tree-heart!
Garth my boy, how did you get so lucky?
You might have just given me the sentiment for this year’s card, Dee…”Happy Valentine’s Day to my tree-heart!” I better get on it.
Love it!
Finally a romantic who loves Valentine’s Day! Most other posts have been so depressing and/or anti-valentines (mine included). You and Garth have a beautiful tradition.
Thanks, Laurie…atypically, Garth is the more romantic one in our relationship. He remembers (or has written down) every single anniversary…first phone call, first kiss, first “I love you.” He’ll ask, “You know what day this is, don’t you?” Valentine’s Day is easy!
Perfection! Garth is a romantic to the core and your artistic nature comes to the fore, seeking and seeing hearts everywhere. LOVE! Happy V-Day, my romantic friend. Enjoy the day.
Thanks, Betsy! ❤️
Awww, Garth is a real keeper, Barb. But, what I most admire is your creativity with the cards. I think this makes the day much more memorable than the Hallmark versions of what we are “supposed” to be feeling.
Yeah, I think I’ll keep him…and thanks so much for the sweet compliment, Mare!
I agree with Laurie and Betsy, Barb. As much as I can understand and empathize with all the stories that view Valentine’s Day as mainly a disappointment of somew sort or another, it is heartening (get it?) to find a true romantic like you who still truly throws herself into it.
Moreover, my mother was always a great believer in the idea that you should make a card, whether you are artistic or not, and not just hope that Hallmark gets it right for you and the recipient. She didn’t live by that credo, and neither did/do I, but it is delightful to know that you do. And with true artistic talent, to boot!
Thanks so much, John!
This is a beautiful story, Barb, and satisfied my hope for a story from someone who likes Valentine’s Day! Glad that you and Garth found each other. I loved looking at both collections of cards, clicking on the pictures to make them big enough to read.
After you give him this year’s card tomorrow, you should take a picture of it and add it to the story.
Thanks, Suzy…I’m so glad you liked it, and that you took the time to click on the photos. I do the same thing so I can really take in the details.
Thanks for the beautiful pictures of found hearts–really lovely. And it is wonderful the way you make creative expressions of love in your life.
Thanks so much, Khati!
I love the tradition of one making breakfast and the other making dinner (or choosing a restaurant). It’s nice that you’ve swapped the conventional roles as to who becomes the keeper of the romantic legacy! Though I’m guessing more men than we might think are the more romantic ones. Thanks for all the wonderful photos of cards and especially the heart in the tree; what a joyous discovery ,given the timing.
Thanks so much, Dale!
Barbara, what an impressive two-way exchange you describe. I also loved your eye for hearts in nature.
BTW: I’m a little concerned. You’re not going to cook a little Dutch baby into the pizza, are you? Only Hillary would do such a terrible thing!
P.S. — What is a Dutch baby, other than a kid from the Netherlands?
Finally, someone asked! I just learned to make one recently…it’s basically a fancy pancake that you bake in a cast iron skillet in the oven and it gets all fluffy. No babies involved. I swear.
Whew, Barb. Glad to hear you’re not cooking babies this year. Love your heart-in-the-sand pic. You have a good eye!
Thanks, Charles!