As I thought about creating an enticing and romantically rich article for this assignment, immediately my mind soared to couples celebrating their love together. So I began to ask numerous friends, family, co-workers and strangers to tell me about one of their favorite memories of Valentine's Day. The responses I heard were for the most part sad. Many couldn't think of any at all, while others were so burdened and overwhelmed by their current relationship they responded apathetically and void of such a time of celebrating love. Lucky for me, I have several wonderful Valentine's Day memories. However, the most prominent one struck me so tenaciously; I was motivated to compose it for our readers despite its lack of the traditional passion-of- lovers theme Valentine's Day inspires.

Way back when I was in kindergarten is my first memory of Valentine's Day. To begin with, I had a very jovial teacher and she knew how to throw a bash! As I walked towards my classroom I could see how Mrs. Anderson had brightly decorated the room. She had hearts hanging from the ceiling, cupids on the bulletin board and our artwork posted on the walls. She got behind her piano and led us in a sing-along to start the day's festivities. Then we all were instructed on how to make a homemade envelope to contain our upcoming cards and candy exchange. We took two colorful pieces of paper then glued and stapled three sides together. Next, we drew and colored pretty hearts and designs all over our creations.

In those days we had a nap time, where we pretended to sleep on a fold up mat on the floor. After the fake nap, it was the grand finale, time to get up to give and get cards and candy! I'm sure it was obnoxiously loud in that room as we ran all over like crazy lunatics distributing and receiving a prize from each and every person! Next we were able to look over our treasures and read each little note and card signed by the classmate in scribbley handwriting. My favorite candy was the little chubby heart shaped ones with the words printed on it like, love, I'm yours, kiss me, etc. The favorite Valentine card of course was from a cute guy that I had a crush on.

Looking back now, I realize I had an extraordinary, kind and loving teacher. Behind the scenes, I think she was always planning, thinking and looking out for each of us. Come to think of it, that class was always fun and cheerful. I cannot think of one bad thing that anybody said or did nor any bad or embarrassing situation any of us had to encounter like in the years to come. She had to be managing that entire scene quite strategically. Mrs. Anderson was truly a loving soul; she treated each of us with dignity, kindness and respect. She never showed partiality or favoritism to any. Each day with this woman was a day of joy and bliss. She delighted us with the most wonderful activities and surprises. She had birthday parties, fun songs, duck duck goose and telephone games, each of us got to be the weatherman and calendar instructor too. Maybe Mrs. Anderson was an angel sent from heaven.

That particular class of children had a lot of serious challenges going on in the home as I learned throughout the years. Two of the girls lost their mothers tragically through suicide, another child was being severely abused by her mother, several parents were going through a divorce and one boy was morbidly obese. I can't imagine the pain and sadness that these little children encountered in their homes, nor can I bear thinking about the world going on inside their little pink houses. My kindergarten teacher was too intelligent and gifted of a woman to not be in tune to the dysfunctions coming with these pupils. I bet she brought extra Valentine's Day cards in for the kids that forgot to bring theirs in. I'm sure there were many other tricks up her sleeve to cover for the lack of parenting some of them endured.

So for all of you friends, family, co-workers, strangers, readers that can't recall a Happy Valentine's Day memory and to all of you that don't have a romantic partner this year; I hope this anecdote of mine will inspire you. Maybe you will search even deeper for a memory that is filled with love, not necessarily the romantic kind of love but the agape love like Mrs. Anderson. If you still can't extract a good memory then I would like to encourage you to originate one this year intentionally. Maybe there's a widow or widower down the street who is missing their spouse through death but certainly still in her heart. You could give her a Valentine's Day card and a tiny box of chocolates. I bet you could find a friend or family member that is in a bad situation or relationship and give them a call to wish them Happy Valentine's Day. Be creative and initiate your own magnificent holiday, you don't have to be in a relationship to enjoy the bliss!

May cupid knock on your door this year, Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you!