Throwback Thursday: your first Valentine? #TBT

[#1]

It's Thursday!

This Saturday is Valentine's Day. So here is early happy Valentine's Day! 

We did not celebrate Valentine's Day in Iceland when I was growing up. But having lived in America, I´ve become acquainted with it. Here is a bit of its history, if you are interested. At least someone's version of its history.

Sooooo, who/what was your first Valentine or tell us about some Valentine's Day memory :)
Let’s make it a great Thursday!
KGM

[Tomislav Tobijas]

Careful now… this question is opening some ancient Valentine lore 😆

[Andy Gladstone]

I remember being in 2nd grade and we had to bring in special Valentine's Day stationary to write (5) Valentines to classmates, and include one of those pastel heart candies in the envelope. I remember being so nervous about what candy to include, because I didn't want my Valentine's card recipients to misinterpret the message. I hope they don't subject seven year-olds to this same pressure anymore!

[Sean Perry]

I remember as a young teenager receiving my first Valentine's card. To this day I have no idea who was the sender, but I do remember the feeling of warmth when I realized that someone out there liked me. I'm not sure I told anyone I had received one, being fairly shy, but the memory of getting it is still there. 

[Barbara Szczesniak]

When my nephew was 6, I was home for a couple of months between stints working in The Netherlands, and he asked me to come to his Valentine's Day party at school. It was so sweet that he asked me and not his mom, dad, or any grandmas. 💝

[John Funk]

Like @Andy Gladstone my valentine's card was VERY long ago - maybe even kindergarten. But I remember the conversation hearts, and I remember many cards had slots in them so you could slide a sucker stick in them. Oh, the good ole days!

[Kristján Geir Mathiesen]

Bwahahahaha, @Tomislav Tobijas that is true! We might be opening up Pandora's box...

[Kristján Geir Mathiesen]

Hahahahaha, @Andy Gladstone  Back then, being a seven year old was rough!

[Amanda Barber]

My favorite memories of Valentine's Day are from when I was teaching Kindergarten rather than a school-age kiddo myself. We always enjoyed a lovely class party with the kiddos!

[Ben Dollinger]

I actually don’t remember celebrating Valentine’s Day much when I was younger — it wasn’t really a big thing around me either.

But I do remember the first time I secretly left a small Valentine’s note on someone’s desk at school. Nothing fancy, just a simple “Happy Valentine’s Day” and a little heart. I was incredibly nervous and spent half the day wondering if she had figured out it was from me.

What I remember most isn’t even the person — it’s that mix of excitement and pure teenage panic.

Happy early Valentine’s Day, everyone! ❤️

[Svenja Lorenzen]

Here in Germany the day is not really celebrated. At least not in a way that you can feel it.

However, I remember 2022 we had the Valentine Exchange here in the Community and it was my first time receiving a Valentines card. Even though it was from a total stranger I loved everything about it. 

This year I want to send out some Valentines greetings myself to friends. Just to share how lucky I am to have them. 💗

[Stephen.Lugton]

This story is not about me, but about a friend I was at school with.

My friend works in a specialised field which tends to have opportunities only in large research organisations such as universities, pharmaceuticals or governments so he applied for jobs worldwide and ended up getting one in a US university.

A lot of people at the university were from countries all around the world, one in particular being a young Japanese lady, who became his first girlfriend.

Unfortunately she was only there studying for a year as part of a Master degree, so by September she had returned to Japan, but they had decided to try and make a long distance relationship work.

Long story short; it didn't work and she dumped him on Valentine's day with a Dear John Valentine's email.

Strangely enough that was one of his better relationships and breakups, but he's been happily married for 2 years now, although it really doesn't seem like 10 years since the wedding, and he spends many happy hours outside on his ride-on lawnmower.

[Kristján Geir Mathiesen]

Thank you all for sharing your stories! I hope you will have a wonderful Valentine weekend!

[Vronik]

Hi

I'm sorry, I don't really believe in Valentine's Day. I think any day is beautiful and special to tell someone you love them, not just a specific day.

I think spontaneity is better than feeling obligated to do it.

Regards

[Kristján Geir Mathiesen]

That is a great outlook, @Vronik !