Sweetheart of a Day

My son looks forward to all special occasions and Valentine’s Day is no exception.

For the past couple of days, he has worked here and there to make Valentines for his classmates and teachers.

In addition, he really wanted to get Sweethearts candies to give to each person as well.

As Kai is on a GFCF diet, and just a healthy diet in general, he does not eat much candy. He can’t have most chocolate candies as they have milk in them, and he does not really like sweet candy anyway.

But he does like Sweethearts candy on Valentine’s Day.

Sweethearts are those small heart-shaped candies with the little messages printed on them. Kai doesn’t really like the taste of them; in fact, he hardly eats them. He just likes reading the messages.

“Be mine.”

“Crazy 4U.”

“Soul mate.”

“Time 2 dance.”

Last year his mentors from school brought over a box of Sweethearts to use for a Valentine’s craft project. But, they had bought a Spanish version by mistake. Kai didn’t mind, though. He had just as much enjoyment reading the Spanish phrases.

“Hola.”

“Te amo.”

“Mi amor.”

Mom had not yet gotten the Sweethearts so after his therapy yesterday afternoon, they went to the drugstore together to buy mini-boxes for each classmate. Kai came home and taped them to the back of each Valentine he had made, saving one for himself.

I don’t know what kind of celebration they will have at school today, but I can just hear Kai’s laugh as each student reads their Sweethearts messages.

“Tweet me.”

*****
Longtime readers may recall why Valentine’s Day is not just a Hallmark holiday around here. For you newer readers, click here to read the column I wrote a year ago, and find out what happened nine years ago.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

More Celebrations

It has been a busy few days with my son’s birthday party over the weekend followed by Valentine’s Day and now his actual birthday.

My son likes to celebrate all holidays. Valentine’s Day isn’t exactly up there with Christmas and Hanukkah, but he still likes to get Valentines and candy. He was up early yesterday in anticipation of the day.

We normally try not to load him up with too much candy. But we know he will receive some on Valentine’s Day. And he enjoyed receiving the treats, but I was happy that he enjoyed looking at the candy without consuming too much of it.

This morning, he was again excited. If you read yesterday’s post, you know that my wife went into labor on Valentine’s Day. But Kai wasn’t born until after midnight so today is his actual birthday.

After his party the other day, he opened all the presents he received from his friends. But he still has the ones from relatives that he will open today. And this morning we let him open one. Which he was thrilled to receive.

After which he talked on the phone with his grandparents.

And so, he’s off to a happy start. Here’s hoping it carries over into school as well.

The Best Valentine’s Day Present

“Valentine’s Day 2004: My wife went into labor while walking along Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago…”

Today’s column is an extra special one as, for the first time, I tell the story of Kai’s birth, adversity, and love.

Please click here to read.