Valentine's Day isn't just about romance

Hi neighbors. Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you have an opportunity to be with the ones you love today.

It's always a good year when Valentine's Day falls on a weekend. Although many feel Valentine's Day is all about romantic love, how many parents cherish the memory of getting that first odd-looking flower created with crayons or construction paper by eager, loving little hands. We have all had pictures on our refrigerators of stick people with big heads and no legs identified as Mommy, Daddy, (brother or sister), (dog or cat) and ME! There is no love more precious than a child's love for their parents. Parents love their children as well, of course. But parents love with a mature understanding of the responsibility involved.

Children love their parents just because -- and with a great deal of energy. Little ones never tire of telling their parents that they love them. They daily give "gifts" that show their love.

These wonderful gifts might include crushed dandelions in the spring and summer, clay sculptures, painted and colored pictures, free styled drawings, jewelry made of string and buttons and when they can write, notes with the magic words -- I love you.

No matter how few or how many Valentine's Day cards you get in your life, none are as special as those little pieces of cardboard bought in packages and given out by your children at school. If you buy enough, you will get one or two from each child yourself.

Getting enough to give to each classmate is the most important thing though.

Valentine's Day at school will have your child coming home ecstatic or crushed.

If they don't get a valentine from everyone in their class (in grades kindergarten through second grade) they are devastated.

After grade three, they have to get a Valentine from that one "special" classmate to make the party worth more than the cupcakes.

Although parents always have a special place in their children's hearts, a lot of other heart spaces their children have get filled up as the children grow.

Parents have to learn early on to share their children's love with a babysitter, pre-school teacher and then school teachers.

Our children's love gets spread around even more as they age.

"Yucky" girls and boys with "cooties" are the first stages of recognizing there are basic differences in how boys and girls act at school.

It isn't long until girls aren't as yucky and boys don't really have bugs.

Remember that enthusiastic grin when your "baby" told you a boy in her first grade class had held the door open for her at school? Or the red face of your son when he told you a pretty girl sat down next to him in the cafeteria at lunch? These early encounters are just the beginning of course, and are quickly (at least to parents it seems quick) followed by the initial romantic crush, the first anguish over "does s(he) really like me?" About the time boys and girls start finding an interest in the opposite sex, the opposite idea takes hold again and girls and boys split into peer groups that keep them separated longer by finding strength in numbers.

It's easier to watch the boys or girls from within a "herd" of same-sex accomplices. As they become more interested in those outside their peer group, gang or club, children without strong role models at home, can base their entire concept of how romantic love is supposed to work on teasing (and often ignorant) peer opinions and pressure.

Teenagers find out the hard way that love felt by one isn't always felt by the "beloved" and that overwhelming love today can be "yesterday's news" tomorrow.

Parents show their love best by teaching their children through a solid and responsible family example that "love" isn't a dirty word. Children then know that love means having people who care about your best interest providing a safe and nurturing home environment -- and that sharing that concern for each other's well-being is real love.

Until the next time friends remember, share your love with your family in the same spirit children share their love with their parents. Gifts don't have to cost more than a little time for preparation and giving. The gift of time together is always the best gift to give. And don't forget to tie a ribbon around all your Valentine gifts -- the ribbon that says "I love you."