Spent the day as a substitute teacher today. I think I can get used to this new found job description. I had the good fortune of subbing  for a third grade class on this lovely  Valentine's day.  Just when I thought that the holiday had nothing new to teach me, a group of 16 eight year olds showed me the way! I had nearly forgotten how much we loved our Valentine's day celebrating....how I would have my list made, and my special valentines set aside at least a week ahead of time. How we got to eat junk food in school, a very rare occasion back then.
    32 wide and expectant eyes would turn to me each and every time another kid asked " when do we get to have our party? ". And each time I would smile and answer that we would get to party at the end of the day, once all the lessons were finished.  " AWWWWW " was the unanimous cry each time that we had to drag our eyes back to our reading/science,/math lessons.
     When it was finally time to party, the kids rushed around the class, delivering the cards and candies to one another, excitedly exclaiming their reasons for giving each card to its recipient. Then they devoured their munchies while they opened their valentines and laughed, giggled, rolled their eyes, and blushed together.
It was beautiful. I am grateful to have had such a lovely V-Day.