So today is Valentine's Day. Whoopdeedoo. I have never really been a big fan of Valentine's Day. Other than the candy part. I mean, any holiday that involves candy can't be ALL bad. But even back in elementary school Valentine's Day was brutal. First, I should probably inform you that I was not all that popular in school. By that I mean that even the rejects rejected me. I was short, scrawny, had frizzy hair, wore glasses, and was very dorky. And that was before dorky was cool.
OK, so you know how in elementary school all the kids bring those little cards with the dumb sayings on them? And maybe candy for everyone in the class? The teacher would send home a list of names and you'd bring something for everyone. Yes, everyone. Well, on more than one occasion, I got to hear one of my lovely classmates ask the teacher if they HAD to give me one. One boy told me his mom made him put my name on the card that said "Bee Mine" or some such nonsense, but he didn't really mean it, because I was gross and stupid and ugly. Ah, the love. Happy Valentine's Day to me.
Then came middle school and high school. No one HAD to give you anything anymore, so each year was a reminder that no one loved me. I'd see girls get flowers and candy and balloons. There were dances. I never went. I was never invited. And I know, I know. I could have gone with friends, but...yeah, didn't have a lot of those either. Now don't get me wrong. This is NOT a pity party. I am NOT looking for sympathy at all. This is just the way it was. And so Valentine's Day was not really a great day.
And then...........
Fast forward to college.
It was my freshman year. I had friends. I'd even had a boyfriend...briefly. I was slightly less dorky looking, and much more confident than I used to be. Anyway, it was Valentine's Day and I was single. Since I'd never been anyone's Valentine in my entire life, I was not expecting anything whatsoever. So, imagine my shock when I went to my post office box and there was a card in my box. With MY name on it. A Valentine's card. For ME! Oh my gosh! I was on cloud nine. Somebody loved me! Or at least liked me. And it wasn't from my parents either! I opened it with trembling hands, eager to read the heartfelt message inside. It was beautiful, sweet, thoughtful, kind. Just what any girl would want to see on Valentine's Day. I couldn't wait to get to the bottom of the card to see who my secret admirer was. And then I got there. Finally. The person who had secretly been watching me and wanting to be with me and put their heart out there for me was..........
Lisa?
Huh? Hold up. Re-read the card. Must have misinterpreted the meaning behind all those kind words.
Nope. She....rreeaallyy liked me. Like THAT way.
And I am straight. Uhhhhhhh....AWKWARD!!!
I had finally gotten an actual Valentine. From an actual person. Who actually liked me. And she was such a sweet person too. And it had been so brave of her to put her feelings out there like that. I know. I'd tried that before. I did NOT work out well for me. But that's another story for another day.
Well, I had to go talk and to her. I told her how sweet her card was and how much it meant to me and that any girl would be lucky to have her, but that I wasn't gay. She actually asked me if I was sure. Am I sure?!?!? Really??? Um. Well...I hadn't actually had much experience with guys, and most of them were completely uninterested in ME, but....yes, I was sure.
It was very awkward, but at least I made a friend, and hey, I finally had a Valentine. To this day, it still one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. Happy Valentine's Day everyone.
OK, so you know how in elementary school all the kids bring those little cards with the dumb sayings on them? And maybe candy for everyone in the class? The teacher would send home a list of names and you'd bring something for everyone. Yes, everyone. Well, on more than one occasion, I got to hear one of my lovely classmates ask the teacher if they HAD to give me one. One boy told me his mom made him put my name on the card that said "Bee Mine" or some such nonsense, but he didn't really mean it, because I was gross and stupid and ugly. Ah, the love. Happy Valentine's Day to me.
Then came middle school and high school. No one HAD to give you anything anymore, so each year was a reminder that no one loved me. I'd see girls get flowers and candy and balloons. There were dances. I never went. I was never invited. And I know, I know. I could have gone with friends, but...yeah, didn't have a lot of those either. Now don't get me wrong. This is NOT a pity party. I am NOT looking for sympathy at all. This is just the way it was. And so Valentine's Day was not really a great day.
And then...........
Fast forward to college.
It was my freshman year. I had friends. I'd even had a boyfriend...briefly. I was slightly less dorky looking, and much more confident than I used to be. Anyway, it was Valentine's Day and I was single. Since I'd never been anyone's Valentine in my entire life, I was not expecting anything whatsoever. So, imagine my shock when I went to my post office box and there was a card in my box. With MY name on it. A Valentine's card. For ME! Oh my gosh! I was on cloud nine. Somebody loved me! Or at least liked me. And it wasn't from my parents either! I opened it with trembling hands, eager to read the heartfelt message inside. It was beautiful, sweet, thoughtful, kind. Just what any girl would want to see on Valentine's Day. I couldn't wait to get to the bottom of the card to see who my secret admirer was. And then I got there. Finally. The person who had secretly been watching me and wanting to be with me and put their heart out there for me was..........
Lisa?
Huh? Hold up. Re-read the card. Must have misinterpreted the meaning behind all those kind words.
Nope. She....rreeaallyy liked me. Like THAT way.
And I am straight. Uhhhhhhh....AWKWARD!!!
I had finally gotten an actual Valentine. From an actual person. Who actually liked me. And she was such a sweet person too. And it had been so brave of her to put her feelings out there like that. I know. I'd tried that before. I did NOT work out well for me. But that's another story for another day.
Well, I had to go talk and to her. I told her how sweet her card was and how much it meant to me and that any girl would be lucky to have her, but that I wasn't gay. She actually asked me if I was sure. Am I sure?!?!? Really??? Um. Well...I hadn't actually had much experience with guys, and most of them were completely uninterested in ME, but....yes, I was sure.
It was very awkward, but at least I made a friend, and hey, I finally had a Valentine. To this day, it still one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. Happy Valentine's Day everyone.