What Memories Do You Have of Valentine's Day?

How have you celebrated Valentine's Day?

Do you remember celebrating Valentine's Day as a child?  Did you make paper valentines for anyone?  Did you have special food for the holiday?  Did you have any parties for Valentine's Day?  As you grew up did you celebrate Valentine's Day?  As an adult do you look forward to Valentine's Day or do you try to ignore it?

When I was growing up, school was the big promoter of Valentine's Day.  We were asked to bring a box to school with a slot cut out of it.  We would decorate it and leave it on our desk until Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day, we were to bring a paper valentine for each student in the class.  You could buy inexpensive valentines preprinted with messages and designs or you could make your own.  Then you just had to decide which one to give to each of your classmates.  Some would bring a valentine with a treat attached like a sucker or a piece of candy.  

As a teenager, I don't remember much celebration for Valentine's Day.  You could buy candy or treats made for Valentine's Day and we would do that in our family.  I didn't date so Valentine's Day wasn't a significant day.  

As a parent, Valentine's Day became important again.  I would make treats like heart-shaped cookies or cupcakes.  Helping buy or make valentines for my children to take to school was an important part of Valentine's Day.  A small gift or card for a spouse was important. A sticker on a lunch box or a sandwich bag with a message of love or a sticker on the bathroom mirror could make the day more special.  A handwritten note or letter could send a message of how important a loved one was.  

What things do you do for Valentine's Day?  What was the most special valentine or treat that you made for Valentine's Day?  What was the most memorable valentine that you received?  Include your memories of Valentine's Day in your family's story.

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Are You Related to Any One Famous?

Have you been told that you had a famous relative?  Who was the relative?  What did they do to be famous?  How close was your relationship?  Did you personally meet the famous relative?  Have you read any stories about your relative?  

I grew up thinking I wasn't related to anyone famous.  My parents told me that I had a great grandparent who was a leader in our church.  That was as close as I came to feeling related to somebody famous.  I just found out that at www.familysearch.org you can find out if you are related to famous people.  I counted that I am related to 30 of the United States Presidents.  I'm also related to Marie Antionette, Winston Churchill, Queen Victoria, and Princess Diana.  I am related to Sir Isaac Newton, Samuel Morse, and the Wright Brothers.  I am related to William Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, John Wayne, Jane Austen, Shirley Temple, Bing Crosby, and Charles Dickens.  I am related to 32 passengers from the Mayflower.  I will have to take the

time to find out how I am related.  How far back do I need to go to find a common ancestor?  What were their lives like?  There is much to learn from this information.

If you have an account at familysearch.org, go check out your famous ancestors.  If you don't have an account, create one.  There is no cost in creating an account.  Just think of all the things you might learn about your ancestors. 

My paternal grandmother's great grandparents and their children have been written about in a series of books.  The information in the books was based on facts taken from diaries and journals and on accounts written about the places they lived and the things that happened when they lived there.  Some things were added to make the story interesting, but the facts were kept and only things that were logical to assume happened were added.  I am so grateful to my cousins who choose to write these books.  It truly made these ancestors feel more real to me.  They are not just names in a family tree, but they were real people who had joyful times and sad times in their lives.  What they learned was passed down to me and has affected my life.

Include any stories you know about your famous ancestors in your life story.  What our ancestors experienced in their lives has probably been passed down to us and has affected our lives.  Learning more about your ancestors broadens your view of the world.  Share what you learn with your family. 

Four Generation Family Tree Gold Border Faux Canvas Print
by storykeeper