I’ve always liked Valentine’s Day, so much so that in second grade, I wrote, produced and directed a play regarding Valentine’s Day’s provenance. If you are picturing a bunch of second-graders running around in togas, you’ve got it about right.
I continued to enjoy Valentine’s Day until February 14th, 1996. I had a crush– we’ll call him Ron. Ron and I sat next to each other in Mr. Sterling’s sixth grade class. We were always talking and laughing and up to hijinks, like the time we coated our eyelids with Anbesol. I was so excited for Valentine’s Day. What kind of valentine would Ron get me? What would it say? I made an extra special valentine for Ron, and filled the envelope with carefully chosen conversation hearts.
I ripped open Ron’s valentine, anticipating a declaration of puppy love. Instead it was a store-bought valentine. On it, Ron had scrawled, “Leave me alone.”
You’d think that would have soured me on Valentine’s Day, but no. In the grand scheme of things, it was just one bad day. But let me explain to you the real reason why Valentine’s Day is never, ever a total loss.
There’s pretty much nothing I’d rather eat. There never was a happier marriage than chocolate and marshmallow. How can you hate any holiday that inundates your local grocery store with marshmallowy ooey gooey goodness?
We’ve got chocolate covered marshmallow hearts, eggs, pumpkins and Santas. If Russell Stover can come up with something for Independence Day and Labor Day, my joy will be complete year-round.
So whether you’re married, single, or somewhere in between, stop the pity party and have some candy! You’ll feel better, I promise.
