A Valentine’s baby grows up to embrace the role of “Queen of Hearts”.
Whenever someone finds out when my birthday is, they nearly always get a silly grin on their face and gush about how wonderful it is to be a “Valentine Baby”. You would think that after all these years of hearing the same exact reaction to the day I happened to have been born on, I would have some sort of witty response. Yet, I don’t. I suppose that’s because my feelings about being a Valentine Baby have changed throughout the years.
When I was very young, I was thrilled be the star of Valentine’s Day. I was the proud recipient of beautiful pink outfits and heart-shaped everything, including a heart-shaped birthday cake. Everything was all about me, Daddy’s Little Valentine.
When I was about to turn 11, my best friend Sandy announced that she was going to have a Valentine’s Day party. I knew, deep in my heart that it was really going to be a surprise birthday party for me. The real surprise was that it was merely a Valentine’s party and had nothing at all to do with me. That was the beginning of the end of my reign as Queen of Hearts.
During my teens and early 20s, I learned that my birthday would always take the back seat to Valentine’s Day. My girlfriends would mean to take me out for a night on the town, but somehow the excitement of going out with that Special Someone was all they could talk about. If I didn’t happen to have a Special Someone that year, I was on my own. I tried not to be bitter, but I simply hadn’t got over the shock of no longer being the star. For years, I even refused to wish anyone a “Happy Valentine’s Day.” After all, it was my day, not theirs.
After I met and married my Beloved, I was delighted to once again be the star of Valentine’s Day. My husband and sweet daughters had restored me to my proper place as Queen of Hearts, only it seemed that I had matured a bit. I had this uncontrollable urge to share my throne. I wanted my family and friends to know that, even though it was my day, I was willing to share it with them as well.
In a moment of inspiration, I invented the Valentine Bunny. A second cousin to the Easter Bunny and good friends with the Tooth Fairy, Magical Leprechaun and Santa Claus, the Valentine Bunny comes bearing sweet gifts in the middle of the night for my children.
I happily greet my friends and unsuspecting strangers with “Happy Valentine’s Day!” I’ve decided, as Queen of Hearts, that it is my responsibility to spread the love and joy of the day to everyone. It makes us all feel good.
Lately, whenever anyone gushes at how wonderful it is to be a Valentine Baby, I can’t help but break into a huge grin and agree with them. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Photo Credit
“Queen of Hearts by parrotdolphin” from DeviantArt
Haha, a good story of a changing perspective! Good take!
Dear Beloved Daughter, You are always and forever more the center of Valentine’s Day to your father and me. We love you and wish the very best Valentine Days for you.
my son in law always thought Christmas Eve was special just for him — until he grew older and felt cheated.
You should get some specially printed candy hearts (the teeny ones) that give you the edge and you can pass them out on The Queens day.
That reminds me of how my mother’s birthday is on Christmas Eve. I’ve never known quite how she felt about it (birthday’s are never a big deal in my family) but it always caused a bit of trepidation on my part when it came to giving gifts.
Happy Birthday!
It says a lot about your parents that you thought it was “your” day.
Soooo…does the Valentine Bunny still come to your children that are in college?
Of course he does!