When I Felt Special: Valentine's Day 1974

it's funny how getting flowers, a note/text, attention or a gift from a boy can affect how we feel about ourselves, even though we all know we should feel that way about ourselves anyway. what's your first memory of someone (other than mom or dad) making you feel pretty, special or loved? in 2nd grade i wasn't allowed to do valentine's day but a lot of the kids got me the paper valentine's anyway even though i didn't bring a box to put them in. i loved reading their scrawling, handwritten names on the backs and eating the candy taped onto the little envelopes that in my 7 year old perspective came from the 'richer kids'. i left the classroom to get a drink of water then when i came back i found a large red plastic heart container adorned with a red velvety bow and filled with chocolate m&ms on my desk from timmy houseman. i remember carrying it out to the bus feeling like everyone noticed that i was holding this huge big special valentine and for the moment felt like the prettiest little girl in the world.