a love collection.
Sometimes a girl has got to make Valentine's. I remember as a kid my mother talking about Hallmark Holiday's and how we should not buy into the hype. There is no reason to celebrate something that you should perhaps revere and celebrate everyday on a designated day by going out and supporting the corporate world by purchasing meaningless garbage. And I agree, oh do I ever agree that there is no point in going out and purchasing mass produced, poor quality stuff just because it is a day to give stuff. I am not one for expecting roses or chocolates or manufactured anything, but as much as I am more than happy not to receive anything I do get quite a thrill out of giving things. And, despite my mother's stance on Hallmark Holidays, I do remember my Dad bringing home funny cards, fuzzy stickers and purple socks with red puffy paint sparkly hearts on the ankle when I was a kid, and well, they were from a store called P.S. I Love You and all of that was pretty cool.
because we all need some Happy Love.
L is for love.
So as regards this holiday, my heart has been tugged in many directions. At times I've cared about it and other times it has passed unnoticed. I remember one year going to see Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues on Valentine's Day and finding it a profound moment to reflect on women and our bodies and how despite the abuse so many women have suffered that we should fiercely love our bodies such that we may love ourselves and find sanctuary within when the world doesn't always offer the necessary love and support. There was another year that I was taken out to dinner at Chez Panisse, and, well, suffice to say I got all dressed up and had a delightful meal the likes of which my lips had never before or since tasted. Oh oh oh and another favorite Valentine's Day excursion was going to see Aya De Leon's one woman Valentine's show focused on self-love, not only sheer genius, but I seem to remember some robust deep in the heart laughs. Yes, there have been eventful Valentine's days.
a hearts' tale, in spines.
a nursery's love parade.
a pin head holds a bouquet.
Surely the most notable of these was in 2008 when my daughter Moxie was born. See, she was due on February 14th,and I went into labor at 1 a.m. on that day, but deep in my heart I didn't want her to have to share a birthday with a holiday. My birthday is often on Thanksgiving and it is a mixed blessing, a great opportunity to be together with family, but also it is a rare year that it gets celebrated as an independent event. Really, that's fine, but to have a day that isn't mixed up or competing for attention allows for more possibility. Also, we had been out to dinner at an Italian restaurant shortly before I went into labor and our server said that if M was in fact born on Valentine's Day she should be called Valentina and my beloved husband went with it. Through much of my twenty-four hour labor, mainly the final hour in the birthing tub (in the room that is now my daughters' bedroom), he talked shop about how we were going to call her Moxie Valentina Amore Zises. Yup, he thought it was a hoot, and it was, at least it kept other's amused and allowed me a moment's humor reprieve from the intensity of crowning and the ring of fire. But I held out and didn't start pushing until a little after midnight on the 15th, and so this sweet little girl slipped into our watery world at 12:27 a.m. on the 15th and became Moxie Leil instead of Valentina. That was a Valentine's Day to remember, one when my little love child was swimming toward the outside world and I was brimming with love and so was the rest of the world. Was it all the love in the air that encouraged her to slip sleeping into this world? Perhaps.
love watches over you.
feathery love conserves energy.
But it was last year that I got serious about sharing the love. A few days before Valentine's Day last year a beloved friend told me about an artist friend of hers who had hosted a Valentine's making party. This friend of a friend had provided all the supplies and they weren't your average doilies and sparkly hearts. Oh no, it was bits and pieces of red and pink and white and lace and ribbons that she had collected over time. There were deposit slips from the bank and bubble wrap and lightbulb packaging and remnants of condolence letters from estate sales. It all sounded amazing to my collector's heart and I ran home and stayed up into the wee hours making garlands and stitchy hearts on cardboard. Then secretly and anonymously delivered them to friends' houses before they woke on that day of love. And so, it was pure delight when this year I received an invite in my inbox to attend a Valentine's making extravaganza hosted by this lovely artist at a local brewery. My girls and I spread out on the floor in the brew room with so many inspiring bits and pieces I couldn't possibly keep up with my spinning head and moving fingers. Who knew I like to collage so much?! And here, these are the results. I must selfishly say that I am a bit smitten with these little works and ho hum, well I'd love to keep them hanging on our wall here at home, but me thinks they must be distributed into the world...to spread the love. Would you like to receive a little love on this sweet day?
So I'm curious, I must admit, to hear a little about your take on this holiday. Can you take it or leave it? Do you have traditions you have created? Do you send your love off in envelopes sealed with a kiss? Pray tell, I'm eager to hear.