Many years ago, a girlfriend mentioned her husband had never bought her flowers on Valentine’s Day. My heart was in the right place, but my brain was on vacation. I picked up the phone and ordered her a small arrangement with a card that read “From you know who,” assuming she would recall our recent conversation. But she didn’t, and gushed all over her husband when he got home from work. He was not amused. Lesson learned: Do not buy your married girlfriends flowers on Valentine’s Day. Have you ever committed a similar blunder?
Do you remember Valentine’s Day as a child with a smile? In most elementary schools, including Amish one-room schoolhouses, children bring Valentine’s Day cards for everyone in the class. A fun day to open them. Supposedly, no one is left out. But I heard one boy, now a man, was repeatedly excluded. As an adult, Valentine’s Day can be a burden or time of disappointment and regret, which is why many turn to a fuck buddy website to enjoy companionship without the pressure.
If you exchange cards, it pays to shop early. Or make one!
I was near a card display the other day, so I purchased one for my husband early. Hope I can find it on February 14, a day when many (mostly men) will be hovering over the picked-over cards. Best to buy your honey’s card early. If you have a honey. If you don’t, the day can be awash with sadness. “A Hallmark holiday,” my father called it, meaning an occasion trumped up to guilt people into spending money.
A lesson learned along the way: Valentine’s Day is one of the most expensive days of the year to buy roses. I’ve already told my husband they’re not necessary as he just bought me roses last week. A card is sufficient.
My favorite Valentine’s Day roses from my husband.
A tip: Having worked in the restaurant business, I can assure you Valentine’s Day is not a great day to eat out unless you make your reservations early and can tolerate long lines and a frazzled staff.
Do you adore Valentine’s Day? Do you dress in red or pink? Do you remember with fondness giving and receiving Valentine’s Day cards or does the day fill you with anxiety? Do you decorate your home and celebrate, or wish you could skip Valentine’s Day?
John and Lydia are Amish-made dolls from Lancaster. Are they courting?
Leave a comment and enter to win Lydia and John, Amish-made dolls from Lancaster County, PA, plus a signed book from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: either Leaving Lancaster, it’s sequel Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish! Winner has three days to respond. USA and Canada.
I enjoy reading your blog and all things Amish. Please enter me in your generous contest. Thank you.
Blessings!
John and Lydia are a beautiful couple. My oldest Daughter’s name is Lydia Ruth. I would love to win and have a new book to read. Happy Valentines day Kate.
I’m glad you enjoy reading my blog, Gwendolyn! You are officially you hurt me as are entered in the contest. Good luck!
Kate
I absolutely love Valentine’s Day especially going to my children school and seeing all the little kids with the Valentine’s Day cards I love also getting jewelry and roses from a loved one so wonderful day to celebrate love
Sounds as if you will have a perfect Valentine’s Day, Cuba! Seeing the children alone would be a treat … but receiving gifts and roses from your loved one would make the day delightful. Your husband should give lessons to other men, if that is what their wives want. No wonder you love the day so much! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I ❤️ Valentine’s Day. Winning this would be the perfect treat.
Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway, Susan! Hope you win that perfect treat!
Kate
I would love to win the Amish-made dolls and one of the books. I love everything Amish and winning your contest would make my day!
I’d love to make your day, Amy! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
Valentine’s day was always fun as a child. Even if you did not receive a card from everyone it was my chance to make sure that not one was left out. The Amish dolls are wonderful. I am so glad that someone will get to enjoy them.
Who knows, Wanda, that someone may be you! Thinking of your remark about Valentine’s Day as a child, it sounds as if you have a generous and loving heart. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
We usually go out to eat somewhere special on the 13th to avoid the crowds on Valentine’s Day. We exchange cards and small gifts too. Thanks for the chance to win. Love those dolls!
These dolls are so beautiful, I would love to place them on my bed,I must say I always read your blogs and your books,I feal such peace reading them and long to return to lancaster, we would usually go 3to4times a year but I have not been back since July of last year due to my 90 year old mom falling a breaking her hip.she is ok now but I can’t leave her alone any more,hope to get someone to stay with her so I can get down to pick up some meats and treats for my Easter brunch, any way thank you again for your great books that take me right there on the farms among the amish, god bless
My favorite part of valentines is helping my kids make homemade valentine boxes
I’m not really a fan of Valentine’s Day. I would much rather my husband surprise me with a gift or trinket any other day of the year. He shouldn’t do it on a certain day just because it is expected.
Oh my would love to win these awesome ty
I love valentine day, and would love to win the Amish made dolls and book.
I enjoy celebrating Valentine Day. But I realize it can be a joyous or a very sad day for individuals. I enjoy sending Valentines to individuals I know that are alone to brighten their day. Lydia and John are so adorable and what a nice giveaway. God bless you. Happy Valentine’s Day, Kate.
Valentine day is wonderful. A time to rekindle love. Was to be my wedding day 38 years ago but the blizzard of 1978 changed it to the 18th. We celebrate our love for each other though all year through. We have had some wonderful times and we have had some ruff times, but it is through those ruff times our love blooms. Going through those times builds you and teaches you what it is to be in love. Everyday my heart blooms more for the man God gave me to love! I have my gift from him each day we are together, I don’t need the chocolates and the trinkets I have his love!
Blessings
Diana
My husband and I usually stay home, because I love to cook and bake, so I make us a special dinner and dessert. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your give-away.
Well one year we both thought of something we needed. So I bought him a blood pressure machine and he bought me one as well. I thought oh he will love this gift. One he will never figure out. As we ate dinner and exchanged gift. Our faces were priceless. At least we can say we were looking after heart matters. Please enter me in your contest
I would love the dolls, since I don’t have any and I love the books. You see I lost my sweetheart 3 years ago,so I don’t have anyone to give me a Valentine’s gift. I love reading your posts.
Would love to win this
I love Valentine’s Day it’s such a “loving” day and a I love the color red… love to all.
Would love to win your giveaway. Love all things Amish. Valentine’s Day has never been the most important holiday to me, but I feel like it’s more for younger people.
Strange that you mention this – Dennis and I were saying this morning – that every day is Valentines Day – and he said – he didn’t need a special day because he tells me everyday or shows me everyday – We both have practiced this since we married (way back in 88). It is a dating couple holiday. I agree I try to show him every day that he is special. BTW those dolls would go with my collection of Amish stuff I have on my couch and in my kitchen – they are very very cute!!!
Thanks for all you do.
I would love to win the dolls and books!!! I so admire the Amish culture. Their faith is amazing…and their family structure is something we “English” could learn from! My husband and I go to our local Amish Market every Saturday and often visit Lancaster, as we live in Baltimore. Just being around Amish people reduces my stress level! That is why I love EVERYTHING about them…including books that revolve around them and their community…
OH!!! MY concept of Valentine’s Day is a reminder to show love to all…
I WOULD LOVE THE DOLLS FOR VALENTINE’S
I was born on Valentine’s Day, so it was always a special day at my house. We would make lots of decorations and place them all over the house. Then, I was married on Valentine’s Day on my 29th birthday. My husband calls it my three-in-one day or my Birtha-Vale-Versary! I taught school for 33 years and loved watching the kiddos exchange their cards and little gifts. It is quite a special day.
I would love to win the dolls and books! Happy Valentine’s day to everyone!
I Love Valentines Day & being a winner would make it that much sweeter.
I love Valentine’s Day my husband always plans something special. This year Gatlinburg,Tn. Instead of candy I always ask for a new Amish book so winning would be great. The Amish dolls are precious! Donna!
We really don’t do much . Hubby brings home candy & some times flowers . He can be real sweet . I do other things for him .
Love Valentine’s Day as a child, loved making my card boxes to take to school and then opening all the cards from classmates. My dear husband never forgets the day, but no roses, way too expensive. And I do decorate my dining room for Valentines, it’s the room that changes with the holidays and seasons
would love to win these book your a very good writer enjoying all your books Happy Valentine God Bless
My birthday is the15th of Feb. when growing up my parents always made sure it was separate from Valentine’s Day. Now my husband does the same thing. I get card and candy for Valentine’s Day and a card and flowers for my birthday! I have been lucky to always feel both days were special.
I always enjoyed helping my children make their Valentine boxes and making them cookies to take to school, but I never got flowers are even a card from my husband. Now I live alone, and it is just another day. Thank you so much for the contest and the chance to win. Have a Blessed Day.
Please pick me! I need a new read and trying out different authors. I’m excited about Valentine’s Day for my little boy! He is my sweetheart! I make it special for him and hope that he enjoys the same experience that I had growing up.
Valentines Day is sad for me because my husband passed away so I will no longer get candy or roses and it’s been difficult for me. He was faithful to acknowledge that special day every year for 53 yrs. He loved me more than anything. ( his words not mine.)
I love Valentine’s Day! My husband and I love to buy candy and cute gifts for our daughters!
I love Valentines day that is when I married the love of my life. We go to Lancaster Pa all the time l love the Amish. When we go I buy books to read when I can. I would love to win and read this book and having it Autograph would be so exciting. We decorate when my health permits. Thank you for allowing me this chance to win . God Bless have a great Valentines day.
After being married for twenty eight years we don’t fight the crowds on Valentine’s day at restaurants. We now have a nice dinner (steak, shrimp and veggies) at home and watch a movie. Not this year though. My husband is off and I have to be at Awana’s for 4 hours on that day plus in addition to church in the morning.
I would love to win these Amish dolls !!! Also love Valentine Day since it’s my granddaughters birthday!!
Hi Kate! I love Valentine’s Day, but then again I’m biased – my fiancé proposed to me last Valentine’s Day in Portland, OR! The best Valentine’s Day of my life! This year, I’ll be surprising him with an experience I’m sure he’s going to love! I really hope you pick me, as I collect Amish dolls, and these would be a dream come true for me! Thanks again for this giveaway, and God bless!
I wish that kids today could experience valentines day at school like I did as a child . couldn’t wait to open our valentines especially the ones that had conversation heart candy inside oh what a treat.& we usually had delicious cupcakes made by a mom . unfortunately because of all the bad in today’s world schools don’t allow that.my hubby & I go out to dinner before or after the day,but our greatest gift is to spend time celebrating with our wonderful grandkids & buying them small gifts.what a fantastic day that is.Hope you have a great time celebrating your day.
My valentine went to be with my Lord many years ago and how I miss him.
I love the dolls and read Amish books when ever I find them. Thanks for the great contest.
I would rather have a handpicked bouquet of wildflowers than to have my hubby spend a fortune for a dozen roses. We never go out to eat on Valentines Day. We either go a few days before or even a few days after. Neither one of us care for crowds. My hubby can’t hear well and is hard to understand with a lot of background noise. He is a laryngectomee. My favorite valentines day was when he cut out a bunch of hearts and left them around the house with special notes on them.
I enjoy Valentine’s Day very much. Some of my fondest memories are as a mother of 2, I was a stay at home mom. So I was involved as a room mother for parties & field trips. One Valentine’s day I helped out with the class party & we made Valentine’s for the kids parents & played games. I made sugar cookie suckers for each child to frost & decorate. They had so much fun. I am sure the janitor was not to happy with all the sprinkles etc. all over the floor. LOL.. Now that it is just my husband & me we usually go out to eat breakfast. He always gets me flowers & a card. I in return get him a card & chocolate. <)
I enjoy Valentine’s Day very much. Some of my fondest memories are as a mother of 2, I was a stay at home mom. So I was involved as a room mother for parties & field trips. One Valentine’s day I helped out with the class party & we made Valentine’s for the kids parents & played games. I made sugar cookie suckers for each child to frost & decorate. They had so much fun. I am sure the janitor was not to happy with all the sprinkles etc. all over the floor. LOL.. Now that it is just my husband & me we usually go out to eat breakfast. He always gets me flowers & a card. I in return get him a card & chocolate. <3
Sorry this double posted.
Happy Valentine day to you, the Amish dolls are adorable, would love to win them and donate to our church auction and get the awesome opportunity to read your book. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
I love Valentine’s Day and usually go out to eat with the hubby. This year will be a little different as his Muscular Dystrophy is getting where he can’t get up and down, so we are going to drive and pick up dinner, then sit in the car and watch a movie on the phone from Netflix! Dinner and a Movie our style! I’d love to win the giveaway! Happy Valentines Day!
My husband and I feel everyday should be like Valentine’s Day. Love should be an everyday celebration:)
We don’t celebrate Valentine’s day too often -it surprises me when he does. It may be because our anniversary is not too long after. This year I told him we are going to a concert make sure not to buy me anything. I love destination presents better than flowers anyway! Thanks for the contest!
I use to love Valentines day as a child…… we would make our Valentines and put them all in a box with a slit on the top. On Valentines day several people would pass them out. I was one of the lucky ones that actually grew up Amish. I now enjoy Valentines day by letting my granddaughter give her classmates Valentines…. she loves giving things to her classmates. She is in 1st grade. The dolls would be an awesome gift for her.
I enjoy all things Amish and reading Amish books. Born and raised in Central PA among the Amish!!
I hate valentine’s day. I’ve always called it the hallmark holiday too. We should find ways to show people we love them every day… not just on valentine’s day. As a stay at home mom, someone surprising me by doing dishes or laundry etc would mean more to me than some roses that will die in a week.
I love Valentine’s Day. I would love to win the dolls