I used to HATE Valentines Day.

It’s tolerable to me now…

The first Valentines Day I remember, I was in 6th grade,  a sweet boy gave me a small stuffed elephant. It was adorable and sweet and I was at a complete loss as to how I should handle the situation. My friends quickly told me what it meant – he “loved” me and wanted to be my boyfriend. In my 6th grade mind this was very confusing. Was this supposed to be something I was to be excited about? Because I wasn’t….

Boys were fun. Mostly I just enjoyed competing with them on the play ground or during PE. Other than that I really had no use for them. In other words, I had zero romantic stirrings in my heart. 

Nothing every happened with me and this boy. It was my last year there and I don’t think I ever saw him again. I don’t even remember if I had the decency to thank him for his sweet gift.  As the mother of two sons I can now see what that must have cost him. Not in dollars but in nerve. I hope I was kind.

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Another Valentines Day memory is from high school. He  was away on a school trip and was thoughtful enough (or his Mom?) to be sure I received some chocolate and a balloon on V-Day. Which was all ruined when I was told while on that same trip he was enjoying the company of another girl. Oh well.

To me Valentine’s Day confusing. How did a massacre turn into a day of hearts and chocolate? Of course I’m always a huge fan of anything that encourages and even endorses the mandatory consumption of chocolate.

I think my biggest issue with the holiday is that it is so close to Christmas and it even shares the same color so it just seems so desperate in some way. Like the stores can’t handle the reality that their big holiday season is over and they quickly refashion all of the left over red garland into garish hearts and stick all the left over chocolates into heart shaped boxes and pray we fall for it.  Not to mention how cruel it is to push chocolate at those of us who have resolved with the new year to make healthier choices.

Valentine Minis

Obviously as a business owner I also need to find ways to serve my customers and to keep business rolling in during the “off” season. Hence the Mini Sessions. Originally I planned to do them all in a single day. Then I was inspired by another photographer when I saw that they weren’t  limiting themselves or their clients to a certain day. So inspired I am now offering Mini sessions not just for little ones and not on a single day. The offer is good for anyone you would like to have some lovely, high quality portraits with and from now until the 14thish… So spread the word grab your sweetheart, bestie, kiddos, fuzzy friends and lets get you booked!

Good Bye January

So we are done with the first month of the year 2019. It was a long one. I have thoroughly enjoyed this string of sunny days. I am cautiously hopeful regarding the predictions of snowfall for early next week.  Winter is a mixed bag around here. The minute you think Spring may be coming you are reminded Winter still has you in its grasp. 

I hope 2019 is off to a good start for you. If not remember there is nothing magical about Jan 1st, you can start a fresh anytime you want!

Keep on believing in yourself, possibilities and dreams.

Shelly