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

THIS WEEKEND'S THREAD 02-11,12,13-05 T.G.I.F. at the Finest

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[Billie]

Oh, Meekie - thank you for the Valentine wishes and the sweet little miniature flowers. :)

Here's a rose and a wish for you and Mrs Meekie. :)

Happy Valentine's Day to the Meeks

[Calpernia]

Happy Valentine's Day Billy! :)

[Billie]

Spectacular Sweetie..

You can't help but smile when you go through this...

Hope you all have a great day.. I am off in next hour or so for a 'mystery" outing with my Valentine for the Day.. My instructions were to dress in "outdoorsy" clothes & bring along formal. How's that for a mystery?

Thank you, Dolly - you are so sweet. :)

Be sure and let us know what kind of "outdoorsy" outing you and your Valentine went on today! :) (or did you really go anywhere? Maybe you stayed inside.) LOL

[nicmarlo]

Hi Billie...pretty rose, ty! Hope you're having a nice Valentine's Day!

[Billie]

Hi, Luv! With a name like yours, this is your day, isn't it?! Love the oodles of hearts and smileys!

[Billie]

Well, it's a pretty valentine, and so's the sentiment, and we all wish the same thing for those fighting for us. Wish I could deliver a ton of those little candy hearts to them and big ole hugs, too.

[Billie]

Love you, LadyX. Love that you love us, too, 'cause it feels special. :)

[Billie]

Hi, Darks! Looking for a valentine for you..... :) Maybe this one, since you're always here, there, up, down, wandering in and out, making *me* dizzy! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

[Billie]

LOL! Hi, JustFrank, you cute thing, you! Here's one that *you* can borrow sometime - it just reminds me of you. LOL

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you! :^D

[Diver Dave]

KEWL! Chocolates and more Necco's.
I make it a practice to only eat them when I'm alone or with somebody.
Happy Valentine's Billie.

[dutchess]

Hi billie and your honor. A quick in and out. 'puter still down and going to the "hospital" tomorrow. You both have freepmail! (((((mayor)))))) (((((billie)))))

[JustAmy]

Thank you, Sweetie.

Hugs and Kisses.
Don't tell LadyX or Nan that I hugged and kissed ya.
I don't need no woman troubles.

[dansangel]

Happy Valentine's Day to all at the Finest!

[shaggy eel]

,,, Happy Valentine's Day to you too Dansy!!

[dansangel]

How is Mrs. Eel doing (((((Shaggy))))))?

[dansangel]

This is an *exquisite* thread Miss ((((((Billie))))))).

I'm getting the impression that you can make miracles happen under pressure.

:-)

[Dog]

Hi Billie.

[shaggy eel]

,,, well, the midwife thought she may have to be induced so she sent her to the specialist. The specialist said "nah" yesterday, so it's a couple of weeks to go now. A natural run to the finish line. She's at home soaking up the sun in the back yard. She's hot, but happy and looking forward to getting the job done and being a mum.

[Billie]

This is an *exquisite* thread Miss ((((((Billie))))))).

I'm getting the impression that you can make miracles happen under pressure. :-)

Whatta sistah! Thank you, dansy! Hope you and your sweetie are having a good day!

I have to leave now, but *will* be back this evening to answer the rest of the pings. That's a promise!

(((((((((((((Dansy))))))))))))