From Your First Valentine

Awww Valentine’s Day. As a mom of teenagers, I’ve finally entered the phase when my babies care more about getting cards and roses from their crushes than they care about chocolates from mom. And I’m not sure how I feel about that.

I’ve entered the “letting go” phase of parenting and I’m not sure how I feel about a lot of things these days. I think about those early years with my little ones and remember that I have the honor of being their very first Valentine. That I had the privilege of showering them with unconditional love long before they worried about whether someone would ask them to “be mine.” And that no matter what life has in store for them, my love will always remain - I was, afterall, their first Valentine.

So here is an ode to those little babies from their very first Valentine.

From first sight, you captured my heart forever

From the moment I held you in my arms, I knew love eternal

From that first smile, I knew the meaning of joy

And as you grew, you gave that love back over and over

Preschool crafts in the shape of hearts

Handwritten cards made from folded construction paper

Pictures drawn in sprawling red crayon

The honor of being your first valentine

Sitting side by side making valentines for your kindergarten class

Sneaking candy hearts and reading those messages to you

The simple, pure joy of a giant heart-shaped balloon

The kind of love that was so easy to give and receive in return

Years have passed too fast and now love isn’t so easy

Witnessing the fragility of your heart and how easily someone else can break it

Knowing that a box of chocolates doesn’t fix everything

But a mother’s love is constant and will stand ready - on Valentine’s day and every day - to fly to you and hold you up. 

From your first Valentine, always and forever