Valentine’ s Day was always a doubly exciting day in my childhood because we got to celebrate in schooland it was also my younger sister Carla’ s birthday, so we’ d have a party at hometoo. Iremember that Feb. 14, 1966 when Iwas packing up my books, putting on my coat, grabbing my

Barbie lunch box and collecting all of the Valentines I’ d received that day. The nuns made us march in a row up the side stairs outside theschool to the busesand Iwas clutching my cards in my hand so that Icould admire

them alongthe way. A boy behind me was fooling around and knocked me forward so that my face hit the stepand Icracked my two front teeth. I didn’ t try to break my fall because Ididn’ t want to lose my cards. Kids! There was blood everywhere and Iwas crying and there was aflurry of attention.

The next thing Iremember, Iwas homeinbed, my Valentines destroyed, and Iwas not able to attend the party because Iwas too beaten up and it was dangerousfor my teeth. You can only imagine how much“ fun” Ihad with my dentist the nextweeks that passeduntil my teeth were shaved and cappedproperly. It would be agrossunderstatement to say that alittle of the holiday’ s luster was lost on me that year.

When my triplets were in kindergarten and it came time forValentine’ s Day, Iremembered my own experience with the cardsand had abit of a chuckle. My girls were so excited about writing the cards and attaching candy

and giving them out in school. Rules had changed about thatand everybody had to give cards to every member of the class – theycouldn’ t be selective and leave akid out. It may have defeated the whole purpose of aValentine, but it was amuch kinder and more inclusive approach.

My daughters’ first Valentine’ s Day came and went without any fanfare, so I figured whatever black cloudIhad once been undersomany years ago had not transferred to them. Or maybe it’ s just that kids carry backpacks on their shouldersnow and knowtokeep their hands free. Whatever the reason, it sure was fun greeting the girls after school and seeing their faces shine with delight attheir treasures.

HappyValentine’ s Day! ● – AMELIA DUGGAN

SINGLE CANDIES: RON CHAPPLE STUDIOS / GETTY IMAGES / HEMERA; CANDY GROUP: JENIFOTO / GETTY IMAGES / ISTOCKPHOTO

48 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2017 |( 201) FAMILY