Valentines Day is upon us, and I couldn't let it go by without a quick post. I want to tell you about the most special Valentines Day ever...
It was 1985. My husband, daughter and I were living in Oklahoma away from friends and family. We had moved there for the promise of a better job and higher pay, and once we got there, the "boss" reneged on the deal.
We were so young and naive,
but we did learn something... "put it in writing."
We were struggling financially, the cold wind blew constantly, and our tiny apartment would not get warm. If it hadn't been for my new daughter Meagan, I would've cried everyday.. but she brought such joy to my life... I knew I would make it.
As Valentines Day approached, I knew it would be without gifts and fanfare. How depressing... then, the most miraculous thing happened... my dear sweet grandmother sent me a crisp, new ten dollar bill in the mail. She wrote... "Do something special for Meagan and Scott with this money." I took off to Walmart with money in clinched fist. Now you may be thinking... "What can a person do with $10?" You'd be surprised!!! I was beyond excited.
I searched the aisles with Meagan in tow. I bought some red plates, some $1 candy baskets for each of us, a Happy Valentines Day banner, some cards, and a German Chocolate cake mix and icing... Scott's favorite!
When Scott came home that evening, he was so surprised! I decorated the hand-me-down table with cards, a toy, red candles, and the cake. I had dressed Meagan and I in red. The finishing touch was a box of candy Scott brought me. We had such fun that evening. We felt like a million dollars.
This started a Valentines Day party tradition that continued until Meagan got married and left home 20 years later. I tried to carry on the tradition, but it just wasn't the same. We do different things now, but nothing will ever top
February 14, 1985!!!
Hope your Valentines Day is happy and full of love.
Sending hugs and kisses your way!
~Teri
16 comments:
Teri, What a sweet story. That $10 was the beginning of something wonderful wasn't it? We never know when something we do will make a difference in someones' life. It doesn't have to be something expensive to change our outlook. It's just knowing that someone cared enough to think about us.
Love,
Mom
A very sweet story...Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday just because I have received everything in my life that I adore during this month - met my husband, given my pug, and had my baby girl!
Bonjour Teri,
What a wonderful Valentine's story! Proves once again that love is all you need.
Wishing you a Happy Valentine's week-end!
I actually teared up a little reading this. That is so sweet. And such a great memory and tradition!
I can see why that memory will always be in your heart. It's family that really matters the most. You were a cute young mother, I must say!
Happy Valentine's Day,
Debi
That is just the most amazing Valentine warm your heart story that I have read! It just shows how you can celebrate with creativity and frugality. Thank you for sharing it.
Happy Valentine's to you and your sweet family!
Those pics are precious. Happy Valentine's day!
what a precious memory and what foresight
to have taken a picture. now you can cherish
it even more.
blessings,
lea
Sometimes it's in the simplicity of things that we are able to see clearly the beauty in life. I love your story!
Simply beautiful.
Hugs,
Diane
Oh, Teri, do I ever remember those early married years....no money...just babies and hubbies and lotsa love! Such a sweet story!
Such a sweet story!
Happy Valentine's Day Teri!
Oh Teri! I just love that story, and those pictures are adorable. :) What a handsome couple! Hope you both had a very sweet Valentine's. :)
Those are such great memories!! I'm so glad we did that every year.
Teri,
I love this! AND, I so recognize the lovely dining room set that somehow we ended up with in California!
Wonder who has it now? I will probably find it in our storage! Ha!
Lori
Hi Terri,
Love your Instyler video Ruth told me about! You are a natural in front of the camera!!
Funny post about your 1985 Valentines day. I had one like that in the early '90s. Barely any $$ so our gift to each other was to paint a room together..red. I don't live in that house anymore, but always remember the red dining room (deep burgundy really) and the year we didn't have a lot to celebrate with. That's ok money can't buy you love...Gee sounds like a song :)
Also funny, we have a lot in common...our love of Paris and our daughter's named Meghan/Meagan! Too funny. I'm a follower, maybe you'd like to follow me too?
Have a fabulous hair day!!
XoXo
Gail
That is funny Gail... my guest bathroom and my entire bedroom is a deep, dark, red. We do have a lot in common!
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