Hey Lovers.

Valentine's. Blech. I've never been a huge fan. You all could probably assume that about me. Love. What's love got to do with it? Even the years that I've had boyfriends, V-Days have just never been very good. They never live up to the hype.

My best Valentine's was when I got my little Daisy Mae lover. We've now been together for 7 years. Longest relationship I've ever had. She's my favorite Valentine. My Funny Valentine. Just look at her.

Today was an okay day. I woke up and told myself I was going to be in a good mood. Mainly to try to makeup for the crazy beast that I was yesterday. Do you ever have those days that you just wake up angry? For no good reason. You're just angry and you can't explain it and you can't get out of your mood. That was me yesterday. A bear. A big, nasty grizzly bear that woke up too early from hibernation. A cranky, hungry bear. I felt sorry for everyone that came in contact with me, but I just couldn't help my beastly self.

So today I tried to fake it 'til I made it. It kinda worked. Just kinda.

I felt pretty cheery because I did receive a lot of Valentine's from kids today. It makes me feel so good to receive Valentine's from past students. It's just sweet that once they move on to another grade, many still remember me and bring me some goods.
And chocolate made me pretty cheery. Chocolate always helps.

I made my students these rainbowlicious Pinterest inspired crayons. They loved them. I baked them with love. Love and a bunch of wax. I was just thrilled I made that many batches of crayons and didn't set my oven on fire. Success.

I also made these Valentine's for the parents. These were inspired by The Inspired Apple.

In an attempt to protect the innocent, I blurred out part of her pretty little face. I thought these turned out so cute. Their faces were all so serious. 

And then we had our Valentine's Party this afternoon. Sigh. Actually, this was probably one of the most organized parties I've ever had. The mom that planned it did a great job and the kids had so much fun. The kids are always my safe place during a party. I just want to act like a penguin and huddle together with them and shut out the cold on the outside. The cold being many of the judgmental party spectators. The judgmental party spectators being parents. Please note that it's not all parents. I am blessed with so many great and supportive parents this year, but there are always those few. Sadly. I had a couple that were pissed at me today. Genuinely pissed. One got smart and may have slammed some plates down. I had to do my whole, "I'm sorry you feel this way" and "I'm sorry you're upset" spill to try to defuse the situation so that we could have a calm and drama-free party. Just silly. I should not be made to feel awkward in my own classroom. So anyway, they sulked and sat in the far back corner of my room. And didn't interact with anyone. Definitely not their child that they were there to see. And they whispered. Probably about me. Oh well. Happy Love Day! Right? Geez. Party days belong in a dumpster. Alongside Field Day.

Regardless of all the commercialized Valentine's crap and the drama of some Bitties, I've come to this realization. I may not have that "special someone" in my life. Heck, I may never have that. That's okay. What I do have is great and I, for one, think I'm pretty lucky in love. Maybe not to the outside observer, but I am. I've got a wonderful family that supports and loves me, I've got awesome friends, a dog that couldn't be a more perfect match for me, and I've got 21 little Valentine's that hug me and tell me they love me daily that I have the privilege to spend 5 days a week with at the schoolhouse. And, hey! I've got you guys! That's a lot of love and I feel it on the regular.
So, yeah. On this Valentine's Day, I've tried not to dwell on what I don't have or what's missing in my life. I'm focusing on all the love that I do have and it's more than enough for me.

Happy Valentine's Day, Lovers!