A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-14-05...Sweet Hearts (A Valentine Story)

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Happy Sweet Hearts Day!

I found the following story in the February 2005 issue of "Better Homes and Gardens" and thought it would be a sweet Valentine thread for the Finest. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

by Helen St. Marie

"Love is free, but oh, how it costs," was a favorite saying of my mother's. And every Valentine's Day our love, whether for friends, relatives, or a secret someone, cost plenty of time and effort.

As children, we made our own cards, elaborate projects of lace, ribbons, and more. If we wanted to add something and we couldn't find it at home, we had to pay for it at the stationery store. It made you think twice about who to give your heart to.

When it came o sweets, we made those too: cookies, brownies, and two kinds of fudge.

As good as it was, you always want what you don't have, and we coveted those gorgeous heart-shape boxes of candy and other packaged goodies that appeared in the window of the five-and-dime store every February. Yet for most of my childhood I can't recall a single time that we ever got a piece of store-bought Valentine's Day candy.

And then one year, we did.

Hidden in our napkins at suppertime on February 14, each of us found a little bundle of candy hearts, the ones with the little message on each: Kiss me, Be Mine, Cutie Pie, and so many others.

I later learned that the New England Confectionary Company (NECCO, home of the famous wafer) had been making their candied messages by the millions since 1902, but this was the first time anyone had given them to me. They must have come from Mother, although she never said anything about them and never would. But every Valentine's Day thereafter, it became a tradition, one that has surprised and delighted my children and now their kids.

At NECCO, I learned, they have a tradition too: Every year they add new messages to the hundred or so that already exist. Last Valentine's Day, "Fax Me" and "Awesome" were among the messages my grandchildren found in their napkins. The words have changed through the years, but the hearts remain constant.

Of course, making your own Valentines and baking your own treats are still two of the best ways I know to show someone you love them. But if those sweet candy hearts have taught me anything, it's the importance of indulging the impulsive side of love, the side that makes us do foolish or unexpected things, whether it's stealing a kiss, serenading a sweetheart, or wrapping a message of love in a child's napkin.

by Helen St. Marie
for Better Homes and Gardens

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[Billie]

'Lo there, Sistah! (((((((((((((((dutchess)))))))))))))

[Mama_Bear]

Guess what, Billie? My valentine was lurking on this thread, saw my post about how I have always loved Necco Wafers and the candy conversation hearts, and he came home tonight with three rolls of Necco Wafers and a stuffed teddy bear holding a heart! He said he couldn't find the conversation hearts but thought the Necco Wafers would do. Wasn't that sweet of him? :-)

[Billie]

Thank you, Amy.

Pssst! By the way, did you know JustFRank's been over here showing off again? :)

[Mama_Bear]

For you, Kitty Mittens. Hope you had a sweet day!

[Billie]

The Beatles once said "the love you take is equal to the love you make" ... but, I think the Good Lord has a way of tipping the scales and giving us a little more than we can muster all by ourselves.

There you go again....beautiful thoughts, Mr. Fox. Thanks for all the pretty words you post every day. :)

[Billie]

You've posted the sweetest li'l valentines today, Sistah MB - thanks for decorating the Finest with them. :)

[Billie]

Hi, phancy - hope yours was a great day today and filled with lots of hearts and hugs and love. :)

[Billie]

There's our Valentine Owl! ((((((((((((Temple)))))))))))

[Kitty Mittens]

What a Beautiful Graphic, sweet Lori! My Day wasn't too Good, but you have Brightened it Up! Thank you so much, dear and Kind FRiend!

(((((Mama Bear)))))

[Billie]

Hi Sistah billie. What a delightful thread today!!! Used to love those little hearts as a child! (don't tell anyone but still do) Love what you did with the border too!!!! (((((billie)))))

You are always so generous, dutchess! Thanks, sistah. Appreciate it - also thank you again for taking care of last Tuesday when *I* was having major computer problems. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Sorry to hear your day wasn't too good. Here is hoping that tomorrow is a better day for (((((((you))))))). :-)

[Billie]

I was late getting back to the thread, Colleen. Hope you had a fun Valentine's Day. :)

[Billie]

Wonderful news! Now don't be jumping all over her bed just 'cause you're so glad she's home, weinie! :)

[Billie]

Beautiful heart, Victoria! Hope you've had a good day and evening. Bet you got lots of valentines today. :)

[Billie]

Oh, white roses! They're gorgeous! Hi, Kitty - about to say goodnight, and Mayor will be posting the Military thread soon, I think. :)

[Billie]

Guess what, Billie? My valentine was lurking on this thread, saw my post about how I have always loved Necco Wafers and the candy conversation hearts, and he came home tonight with three rolls of Necco Wafers and a stuffed teddy bear holding a heart! He said he couldn't find the conversation hearts but thought the Necco Wafers would do. Wasn't that sweet of him? :-)

Yep! He's a Sweet Papa Bear - you probably didn't have any little teddy bears around the house either. LOL!

[Mama_Bear]

One last Valentine's wish for my sistahs before I sign off for the night.....

Here is a bushel of hearts
from Mama_Bear and jkphoto to you!

Thank you for this thread today, Billie.

[Diver Dave]

Methinks that Valentine Guy of yours is a keeper.
Way to go, JK!

[Mama_Bear]

Methinks that Valentine Guy of yours is a keeper. Way to go, JK!

Yes, indeed! I've kept him for almost 38 years.....I know a good thing when I've found it. ;-)

Hope you and your lovely Mrs.D had an extra special day.

[Billie]

Goodnight to all who entered these doors today and hope you all found candy hearts tucked in your napkins tonight at dinner and a chocolate kiss on your pillow when you turn in.