I remember Daddy, helping me pick out a pink and red cellophane wrapped box of twenty-five perforated Valentines Cards. Once home, I carefully separated the little themed cards and chose who was to get which card and what I’d dare say.  Of course the card face said it all – “Be My Valentine”, “Let’s Be Friends”, etc.  I can’t remember if I selected the box of cards with Loony Tune Characters like Tweedy-Bird and the Tasmanian Devil or Disney’s Cinderella, Snow White and Prince Charming.  The years blend together, and I’ve sent lots of Valentine’ s Day cards since then. Either way, I simply had to sign “Love, Jean”. But even that required a boldness, that on any other day of the year I may not have been able to muster.  When Valentine’s Day finally did arrived, exuberantly I stuffed my classmates’ red cut-out hearts and white lacy doilies decorated shoe boxes with my little declarations of love, love for friends and especially my male version of Charlie Brown’s  “little redheaded girl”.

Of course, I had high hopes that I’d receive lots of “Will You Be My Valentine?” cards and especially, one from “him”.  I did!  In fact, during the Valentine’s Day class party when the teacher and room mothers were not looking, he and I managed to “accidentally” meet  in the coat room. I presented him with a candy heart with Kiss Me printed on it. In that very moment, I received my very first real kiss. Mark was either inspired or liked following instructions, either way he and I have joked about this event some forty years later.

Once my classmates and I were more adept at sentence composition, love notes of another form began to be passed. You know what I’m talking about, the carefully folded love note. Typically made out of Blue Horse ruled notebook paper, this love note was handed off by a trusted messenger on behalf of a best friend. Either by biological drive or example, one twitterpated classmate after another sent forth on paper, the near heart-stopping question: “I like you.  Do you like me? Check: Yes or No.” 

It is easy to think that I am well beyond these childlike maneuvers, especially after twenty-seven blissful years of marriage. However, these simple expressions of love were effective then, so why not now? Let me offer this thought, whether it is a new love or a tried and true love, who wouldn’t like to hear that they are adored and, like songster Nat King Cole sings, that they are unforgettable?

Perhaps this Valentine’s Day, I will return to what I know works and compose a love note to my Valentine.

If the same thought has crossed your mind, yet you are asking yourself, “What can I possibly say or do?” Check back later this week. for Love Notes – Part Two. 

Have a wonderful day! Enjoy the video of Nat King Cole (posthumously) singing Unforgettable with his daughter Natalie Cole.

From the Heart,

Jean

Jean Cotten Schnaak
Founder and Designer
Loving Heart, LLC

Express your love everyday with a gift from The Loving Heart Collection by Jean Schnaak®
Facebook: Loving Heart ; Twitter: LovingHeartLLC

It’s just a few days until the annual celebration of romance is before us. Will you choose to approach this Valentine’s Day intentionally? Or not?

Will you see the day as an opportunity to show your Valentine that they are your priority?  Or not?

Will you choose to spend just a little time to make this Valentine’s Day not necessarily extraordinary, just not ordinary? Or not?

Grand gestures won’t carve your name on their heart nearly as much as your tenderness and thoughtfulness will.

From my own experience, wooing starts best in the bloom of the day, followed by one or two surprise whispers of love as Valentine’s Day fully blossoms.  As you design the day, imagine how you’d like Valentine’s Day….and the night to unfold.

Perhaps you’ll start the day by softly sweeping the hair from their brow and presenting them with the perfect cup of morning coffee, a paper and your shared excitement about the day.

Mid-day could be a simple phone call to remind each of you of the love you share.

Evening plans can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose.   Without a lot of fuss, you could invite your Valentine to a cozy fireside dinner or a “carpet picnic” in your living room. Prepare your own specialty.  Or opt for takeout at your local market and tell “Deli- guy” that it’s your night to cook!

Will the dress code for your soiree be evening gown and “tails”, or provocative “PJ’s'?

As the evening progresses, will you test the waters by lighting candles and drawing a fragrant, bubbly bath for the two of you?  Or play a love song and slow dance in the foyer?  Maybe a soothing massage is  more your style.

I offer these ideas just to ignite your own imagination. It’s all very affordable. On this special day, face it, can you afford not to woo the one you love?

If you are considering a Valentines gift that will express your love to “your love” not only on Valentines Day but everyday, check out the Pocket Heart and Loving Heart Pin for men and Loving Heart necklaces, earrings and charms for women.  

My passion, my company and my line of jewelry are about helping people express their love to the special people in their life.

This Valentine’s Day will you treat your Valentine like “the one of a kind” they really are?

– by Jean Schnaak, Designer
 The Loving Heart Collection by Jean Schnaak^®