Upcoming Valentine's Day!

I cannot tell you what dread fills my soul when someone mentions Valentine's Day and school. I used to hate to go to school on that day with such vehemence it would be hard to describe.  Everyone was going to get something to pick up from the office but me. Everyone on the bus would be assaulting me with their balloons and flowers and teddy bears as they walked by me on the bus. I would fume all day long and feel so unloved that by the time my head hit the pillow I would believe that I could in fact disappear and no one in my life would even notice!

So now I am a mother AND a Catholic. This has opened my world in ways I never thought possible. Before Hallmark ripped off the holiday and turned it into the only day a year people feel like they should show love it, it was a Saint's Day!

So, I decided to define my children's St. Valentine's day before Hallmark got to it. Grandma and Grandpa were visiting so we shuffled the day just a bit for celebration purposes. Then I made Strawberry Punch, courtesy of Foodies TV.

Then I made the St. Basil Jewel cake but with red and pink jello only. I told Joshua all about St. Basil as well, even though his feast day is Jan. 2. I got the recipe from Catholic Icing. Joshua and Maria love this cake because it is so shiny and has so many colors.

I also got Valentine's Day cards that are based on the Lord's love and not the world's. Again, thank you, Catholic Icing. These cards have verses on them and are paired up with certain candies to drive home the point. They are also free!

Finally, I tell and retell the story of  St.Valentine. He was very brave and his actions were done out of love for God and man. I want Joshua, Maria and baby number 3 to know that it isn't about Hallmark love. It is about God's eternal love and that love for a spouse is to mimic that love. An every day commitment and we show each other in little ways every day. Someday they will be old enough to see the Hallmark version, however, by that time I pray they see the Home version is better.