Declan and I looked out the front window, waiting for his bus to arrive. Declan sat in the windowsill, letting out an occasional cough, while I stood behind.
The cough started about two days ago. It’s not paired with a fever, it’s not barking – it’s just your typical annoying cough. And since he sleeps on an air mattress next to me, it’s been an annoyance for us both.
I wondered if the cough was better than the stuffy nose Declan had last week. Again, without fever, just your classic annoying stuffy nose. So stuffy that Declan remarked, pointing to his nose, “It feels like there is a soggy waffle in there.”
“Bus is here!” I called as the little yellow bus turned the corner and turned on its lights.
As we walked outside and down to the curb, I encouraged Declan to have a good day and let him know I would start working on his Valentines.
Declan replied with a cough, his head flopping to his book bagged shoulder and boarded the bus and took his seat as I waved goodbye.
The Valentines.
For years I would get Declan cool Valentine’s Day cards to hand out in school of his favorite characters. Spiderman, Spiderman, Dinosaurs – yet every year he refused to hand them out claiming others would make fun of him.
No one was making fun of him, I realized he didn’t get the jokes, or puns, written on them. Why would Spiderman say, “You make my Spidey Sense tingle!” If Declan was supposed to give the card to a friend in his classroom? Spidey sense senses danger. On top of that, his feeling of being exposed or embarrassed by telling his classmates things he likes keeps him from sharing any kind of card with a character on it.
I don’t even ask anymore. I know the drill. We make cards from construction paper with one simple message on it.
“Happy Valentine’s Day” From, Declan.
Supplies in hand, I am ready to start building cards and creating his card box for the classroom.
Declan is so unenthused by Valentine’s Day it is even a struggle to get him to sign the cards. He just doesn’t care about the holiday. He understands that for Valentine’s Day you choose a special someone to give love to. At home, he makes a pre-holiday decision who is Valentine will be.
I’m sad to say, I’ve never been picked for this honor.
Two years ago, he chose Catelyn.
Last year, he chose Bob and gifted him a strawberry with a note.
This year, he chose Bobby.
Not only is the chosen person identified, the people unchosen are made aware that we are NOT his valentine.
One of these years I hope to be picked. On an otherwise silly holiday, this is the honor I would be most excited about.
Until then, I will be cutting and pasting construction paper together so Declan can participate on Valentine’s Day with his class.
Isn’t it funny when they have to ‘declare’ these things for special days? It’s like an insight into their minds. I keep a drawing hanging in the kitchen that Joey did of me 4 years ago at school for Father’s Day where she had to fill in blanks. It said “Sometimes my dad…(cooks)” and “My dad likes to…(go to bed)”, “I love when we…(go to target)” 😂😂😂 I’m like who is this person who hates cooking, shops a lot and always gets to sleep!?? Lololll
Oh my gosh, that is so funny! I love the ideas they have in their heads (and especially love to see them pronounced like that)! Too funny!
A soggy waffle in his nose! That’s awesome and exactly what it feels like. Have fun making Valentine’s with Declan!
Haha! I know! When he told me I was like, “Dude – I know EXACTLY what you are talking about!” Too funny 🙂 Thank you!
Ben has no clue, nor does he care about Valentine’s Day. He DOES love all the hearts because they sorta look like the Warner Bros movie logo… if you scrunch up and cross your eyes and hold it up and to the side, like Ben does😂 He’s got a ‘thing’ about studio logos and their theme music. Currently we’re in a ‘FOX’ phase…dun dun, dun dun, dunnnn dun dun🙄🤣
I hope he picks you soon! He probably just assumes you KNOW you’re always number one, cuz you’re Mom, duh😉 It’s still nice to hear/see sometimes!
💌
I think I get every other day of the year besides Valentines Day. Because he has gone out of his way to tell me, “Sorry, Mom. You are NOT my Valentine this year…..” Haha, maybe next year! Or I’ll just take every other day 🙂 That’s neat about Ben! I don’t think Declan cares about the holiday at all, but he’s got the gist – you pick one special person to love. Just one of these years I’ll get the honor!
I really wish it had been you. But I do love the cards. Son hates Valentines. The redeeming thing this year is it falls on the last school day before the week break.
Our kids are actually off on the actual day, so they are celebrating on Wednesday (I think?). To be fair, I have never seen Declan at a Valentine’s party at school – but I do see how little interest he has in the cards and how they’ve gotten him upset in the past. He celebrates the day the way it was explained to him. He has already declared Bobby as his Valentine this year and wanted to be sure Bobby understood: “You’re MY Valentine this year, okay?” And Bobby smiled and nodded his head. It’s cute. I just want my turn 🙂
I remember that Simpsons like it was yesterday.
Same 😂😂😂
I know, me too! It was one of my favorites 🙂
The part about Declan announcing all who are not chosen made me laugh because that is soooo much like my kiddo! She won’t take selfies with me… I am not COOL enough. Her dad doesn’t make muffins as good as mine (he made them once when I was out of town for work), so he is “CHOPPED!” And we don’t get a chance to redeem ourselves — dad can NEVER make muffins for her AGAIN. (Considering my high school experience, I don’t think I ever have a chance at being cool.) I read your posts and some days it’s like we are living the same life!
It is so funny! It’s like a business relationship, or like he’s my boss – I am practically sat down and explained in black and white terms that he’s sorry, but I am not his Valentine this year. I nod, but secretly on the inside I’m giggling up a storm 🙂 That is funny about your daughter too! Oh, how they crack us up!
He’s just playing hard to get.
I really like the strawberry note.
It brought me a great big smile watching how carefully he cut that note out and then carefully taped it to a strawberry. THEN carefully preserved in the fridge until Bob came home from work. My time will come! 🙂
You don’t get it, Robyn… NO male likes Valentine’s Day…
Haha! Good point!
Oh, that strawberry! How precious! Maybe he doesn’t choose you because it would be just too obvious? Feeling he needs to spread the love around?
“I choo-choo choose you!” Good choice on the feature photo 👍
Maybe! That strawberry was the best Valentine’s gift I’ve ever seen – straight from the heart! So cute:-) Thank you!