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“Here you go”, she said. Without any fanfare, my tween daughter Dahlia handed her teen brother Yousef a Valentine’s card; nothing too sentimental, of course. It had a comic book superhero theme. She hadn’t bothered to sign it.
He took the card and looked perplexed.
He obviously wasn’t used to this kind of gesture from her. Most of the time she doesn’t even acknowledge his existence, but when she does it’s usually to remind him that his mere existence is really annoying to her.
“Ahem!” I said. “How about thank you?”
“Oh, yeah, um thanks,” he mumbled.
“You’re welcome,” she said unemotionally and walked away.
“Well, it’s nice that she did that,” he muttered, examining the card in the same way that he might inspect a weird relic that he had inexplicably found in the back yard, “but you know, I don’t know about the way they mixed Marvel and DC characters in this…”
I sighed. It was my turn to walk away.
It was the biggest overt display of affection I had seen between those two since… I could remember! Whatever happened to the small, cuddly kids who used to hug and hold hands? They were so cute back then!
I guess it all started to go sideways when Yousef’s voice began to change. I don’t think Dahlia has ever forgiven him for turning into a teenager. But then, when she got her first training bra, it was his turn to feel disgusted. I don’t think he has forgiven her for having the nerve to start growing up either.
I guess this will all eventually work itself out again, and someday they may even be willing to sit on the same sofa in the same room together. Maybe a day will come when there won’t be an epic battle over the last remaining donut in the house. (I can dream, can’t I?) And maybe, just maybe there will be a day when they might even hug each other!
It could happen, right?
What could be more romantic than a private horse-drawn carriage ride with your special someone before or after your tour? For information and reservations, call 804-358-7166, ext. 340.
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Nothing is romantic about an aching back, sore muscles or stress.
This year give your Valentine a really special treat with a gift that’s good for both the mind and body.
According to a Swedish study in 2010, one 80-minute hand-and-foot massage significantly lowered men’s heart rates, cortisol levels and insulin levels-all of which help lower stress.
With a gift card from Massage Envy, your valentine can choose between a classic Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, reflexology and cranial sacral therapy. Give your massage an extra boost with aromatherapy for aches and pains, to help increase circulation or to ease tension.
You deserve a little something for yourself too. While you’re picking up your gift card schedule a facial for yourself with Murad’s high performance clinical skincare formulas (and save $10 with your savvy saver app).
Stop in and pick up your gift card at any of these locations:
Massage Envy Spa – Mechanicsville
7236 Bell Creek Rd.
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
(804) 746-1100Massage Envy Spa - Richmond Willow Lawn
1601 Willow Lawn Dr. #304
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 440-0004Massage Envy Spa – Short Pump
4346 Pouncey Tract Rd.
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804) 612-0540Massage Envy Spa – Midlothian
11625 Midlothian Turnpike
Midlothian, VA 23113
(804) 379-8005Massage Envy Spa – Commonwealth Centre
5201 Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 744-8440Massage Envy Spa Colonial Heights Southpark
1909 Southpark Blvd.
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804) 526-7777
Massage Envy is a sponsor of Richmondmom.com
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I read the articles and hear the parents mocking them, but when my kids come home with a card from every classmate that has only words of love and kindness… when they light up as we read each one from their closest friend to their frenemy to the one kid with which they desperately wish they were besties… well, I would do Valentine’s Day cards every day if I could.
In the past, both my children had school years where they were not popular. Where they were left out because they didn’t have whatever “it” is in school that particular year or because the moms, who were all friends, didn’t want another friend along. Or because it was just my kids’ turn to be on the outside looking in at friends going off to birthdays parties and play dates without them. It broke my heart, and while I tried to make nice and to encourage camaraderie, I could not stop the mean words on the playground or refusals to include the kids.
However, I could always count on one day where everyone was included. And accepted. Where everyone had to give a card to everyone else and my kids came home feeling full of joy and sparkling in way we missed during that terrible year. Valentine’s Day made them feel okay again, and I could believe the difficult year would not last forever — just as the year I was teased and mocked in school did not last forever.
I don’t love Valentine’s Day for me. My husband expresses his love for me all the time. I love Valentine’s Day for leveling the playing field, for giving children day where everyone’s bucket is full, for the demand of kindness. I can’t wait to celebrate Valentine’s Day again so whichever kid is having a hard time in school this year — the year my kids are having a ball with their friends — so that kid can come home feeling loved by every classmate in the way they deserve.
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