Fourth Grade Valentine’s Day

Christmas and New Year’s vacation was over. I was back in school facing the prospect that it was months before warm weather would really be back and even longer before I wouldn’t be required to get up, brush my teeth, put on clean clothes and go to school five days a week. I liked hanging out with by buddies okay but I had recently noticed that the girls in my class actually smelled better than my buddies. They were softer and sweeter and there was one, Amber, who seemed to be softer and sweeter than the others. I began to think of Amber as my (gasp) girl friend. I sure wouldn’t have wanted my buddies to know that but there it was.

One day the teacher, Miss Sherman, set a large box that was covered in red paper and had white hearts on it in the front of the classroom. She began to explain Valentine’s Day to the class. She told us about St. Valentine and about Roman and Greek mythology…or something like that. I really wasn’t paying much attention until she said that Valentine’s Day was a day to tell people that we liked them. “Ah Ha,” I thought. “Here is my chance to let Amber know that she was my girl friend!”

Miss Sherman passed out those little heart shaped candies to the whole class….the ones that have words written on them…and lo and behold…I was holding the perfect way to let Amber know that I was her boy friend. The little heart I was holding said, “Be Mine”. Perfect! This was just what I needed. I stuck the heart in my pocket so I could pass it to Amber later when my buddies wouldn’t know. All day I carried that little heart around in my pocket and then finally, just as the school day was over, I got my chance. I walked by her desk and set the heart right there in front of her. She took one look and screamed! “WHAT IS THAT?” The heart was a tad worse for the wear after living in my pocket all day.

That was my first experience with trying to tell a girl that I liked her. I’ve gotten a little better at it over the years…at least I hope I have. I, of course, grew up and married Amber. I still give her a slightly melted candy heart every year but there are always roses, candy and a nice piece of jewelry included. See…I did get better!

Posted by leaddog50 as Valentines Day at 9:14 PM CST

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Cupid’s Arrows

One of the most universally recognized symbols of Valentine’s Day is Cupid. Legend has it that Cupid (that winged creature that makes us fall in love) is actually equipped with two kinds of arrows. He has golden arrows which cause true love when they penetrate the heart but he also has arrows made of lead which cause wanton sensual passion.

Cupid is the Roman god of love. He is said to be the son of Venus (the goddess of love) and is usually depicted as a chubby, mischievous child with wings who is armed with a bow and a quiver containing a never-ending supply of golden arrows. He uses the bow to shoot a golden arrow into the heart of the unsuspecting victim causing them to fall in love with the next person they meet.

There is a mythological story that describes how Venus, while playing with her son, is scratched by one of his arrows and then falls instantly and helplessly in love with Adonis…the first man she saw after receiving the wound.

In Greek mythology Cupid is known as Eros and is the winged son of Aphrodite. Cherubs are believed to be the descendants of Eros and they are usually depicted as lovable little winged angles that are not armed with bows and arrows.

If Cupid aims an arrow in your direction this Valentine’s Day, just hope that he uses a golden arrow and not one that was made of lead. Wanton desire ends but true love lasts forever.

Posted by leaddog50 as Valentines Day at 11:58 PM CST

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