Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

I don’t know about you, but I loved celebrating Valentine’s Day as a kid. I couldn’t wait to receive a big red heart filled with assorted chocolates from my parents, and filling out those teeny tiny cards for all of my classmates at the school Valentine’s Day party. We ate candy hearts with messages written on them andwaited with anticipation while the teacher distributed the many envelopes with our name on them. We collected our cards, all feeling very loved and special.

Fast forward many years, and I get to experience the excitement of Valentine’s Day all over again, this time through the eyes of my children. Their focus is mostly on decorating the house and wondering how many candy treats they will get, but as always I try to use the day as a teachable moment. To be thankful and appreciative for the loving people in their lives, and to reinforce the importance of being caring toward one another, their friends and people they meet along the way. I’m sure they just really want the candy, but I’m hopeful that some of what I say sinks in. So celebrate Valentine’s Day and let the people close to you know how much you love and care about them.

Here are some ways to connect with the people you love….

Pick up the phone, email, or text a camp friend to let them know you are thinking of them.

Show your creative side. Take out some construction paper, scissors, glue and whatever supplies you have and design personalized cards together.

Read a Valentine’s Day themed story or watch a romantic comedy.

Create a Valentine Coupon book, offering anything from extra hugs, to things like a special trip for a kid, or help around the house for a parent.

Throw a Valentine’s Day party.

Make a recipe that uses Valentine’s Day themes. Make a batch of heart shaped pancakes or a dinner of all red foods.

Enjoy the day, show love, accept love and take a moment to appreciate the wonderful people in your life.

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt”. Charles M. Schulz