Candy hearts and perfume? Reality rules for this writer.

**Valentine’s Day**

Well, it happens every year. A time for Cyclone to pick a type of commercial, themed, punch-out sort of Valentine card and write the names of each member of his class on the backs, stick them in flimsy, minuscule envelopes, and take them to school.

It was much the same when I was a third-grader. I don’t remember having a mandatory requirement that each child in my class had to get a Valentine from me, though. Today, that’s the rule. I think it’s a good one. I used to get traumatized because my carefully-crafted decorative envelope for the class valentines was often half-empty.

It’s different this year, though, just a little bit. This year, Cyclone opted to get a case (thirty-six count), of those little candy hearts that have been around since – well, since I was a kid, anyway.

**Downsizing, Commercializing**

Way back when, cough!, those little boxes were very welcome. And full! My dear Reader, if you have not had the opportunity to do so, I recommend you check out the volume on the candy hearts packaging. My Spousal Unit and I were discussing it the other night. (Yes, we do have such meaningful talks! :-) )

He very much enjoys the candy hearts. And, romantic guy that he is, he’ll pass over some to me so I can read the messages on them.

Hey! When did all the modernisms get included on these things?? Along with the candy heart standards of Hug Me, Marry Me, and Cutie Pie, I have here in front of me two “new” ones: E-Mail, and Fax Me.

Yikes!

Did they add these to update the commercial value of the candy hearts? I have no idea, but it’s a thought. “Gee, Mommy, I don’t WANT to give them out if they don’t have something on there about e-mail!”

Somehow, I don’t think that eight-year-old Cyclone really cares.

**Romantic Realism**

For many women, Valentine’s Day is a day to spruce up, wear their favorite perfume, and find something RED in their closets. It’s also a day they might wait hopefully for a delivery of flowers from their Significant Other. They may be planning a dinner out – without the children! – or a romantic dinner in, complete with candlelight and soft music.

As a romance writer, I sometimes feel obligated to do such things. But rarely on Valentine’s Day! I can guarantee that if I were to have a romantic evening planned, Scooter would come down with another cold, Cyclone would have caught the latest version of the ‘flu, or Spousal Unit’s work schedule would keep him out late. Overtime: great, but occasionally inconvenient.

So, I am planning on putting together another submission package for a prospective publisher on Valentine’s Day. I wonder if having the date, “February 14, 2003,” on the letter will be at all influential in the acceptance of a romance novel?

Quit laughing! I don’t think so, either.

**“If I have not love…”**

It really doesn’t matter what I do for Valentine’s Day. I plan on wearing red, yes. And Spousal Unit’s favorite perfume. I’ve purchased a card and a special treat he can take with him to work. This is loving, practical, and – don’t wince – sweet. Even if I do say so myself.

But the reason my little remembrances to Spousal Unit will be sweet is because there’s love wrapped around them. There’s love wrapped in the candy hearts he passed to me last night while I was answering e-mail. Love in the box of the same hearts that Cyclone has already ‘addressed’ to me. Love in the M&Ms that will be going into his lunch.

If I planned the most elaborate dinners, dressed in the most elegant garments, and even wrote a poem for my husband, but my heart wasn’t there…all of it would be empty, “like the clanging of a cymbal.”

Love is the best Valentine of all.

May we all pack a little of that Valentine adoration into our everyday lives as we deal with our loved ones.

God bless, and happy writing!

~~Sandy~~