Today is February 1st. My mom and dad are heading to my house right now. They who rarely gave me a hug or any affirmation growing up. Turns out they love Valentines Day. I didn’t know it until I was in medical school, my first year away from home. They sent me a care package filled with bite-sized chocolates, heart-shaped suckers, mugs with I ❤️ U stamped all over them, and even goodies for my roommate. “Wow! Your mom and dad are amazing!” She would exclaim. All the while, I would look on confused, thinking I was in a parallel universe. I, who never received any outward displays of affection, was now slapped on the face with a box full of it. Maybe that was the beginning. The beginning of respect, love, and affirmation. And every Valentines Day, they continue that tradition.
It’s interesting to see the different things and feeling that are revealed when we go away for the first time. My sister is much more verbally and tactilely loving ever since she left for uni, and it shocked some of her friends from back home – sometimes they’d think she didn’t care because she didn’t say so.
Lol, I was not physically affectionate with those outside my family until I moved ten hours away for uni and suddenly realized I had to get over my dislike of hugs or else go six months at a time with touching another human.
Needless to say, I’m grateful for making friends I could hug.
That’s a bit bittersweet, Ally. But it sounds like February 14 is a good day for you.
My father sent me roses every Valentine’s Day until I was about 25 when he accidentally wrote “From the only man who will love you” on the card rather than “From the man who loves you”. He was so embarrassed at how unintentionally creepy it was that he stopped.
I love that story Ally ~ my first year at uni my parents sent me a huge jar of chocolate covered raisins for Valentines Day, and it was my treasure.
They are the ones who taught me to love the holiday, my mom was the one who had us do a big family celebration, and used to say that “it’s a holiday to celebrate love, and anyone who thinks romantic love is the only love worth celebrating is an idiot”
That’s similar to me. My parents would critique and criticize me, sometimes obviously sometimes blatantly. It was a very difficult time growing, but then I moved out of the house and things changed drastically. Familial relationships are very interesting.
oh i just love this!! it’s so sweet, in such a genuine and real way. ❤️❤️ and i also love it as a commentary on valentine’s day as a whole—obviously i don’t know your parents, so this is more of a theoretical consideration, but i love that you’ve portrayed val-day as an outlet to some who may not often express things outwardly. it’s ok to be over the top on valentine’s day. the rest of the year we can be ourselves.
Ally
February 1, 2019 at 4:32 PM
Today is February 1st. My mom and dad are heading to my house right now. They who rarely gave me a hug or any affirmation growing up. Turns out they love Valentines Day. I didn’t know it until I was in medical school, my first year away from home. They sent me a care package filled with bite-sized chocolates, heart-shaped suckers, mugs with I ❤️ U stamped all over them, and even goodies for my roommate. “Wow! Your mom and dad are amazing!” She would exclaim. All the while, I would look on confused, thinking I was in a parallel universe. I, who never received any outward displays of affection, was now slapped on the face with a box full of it. Maybe that was the beginning. The beginning of respect, love, and affirmation. And every Valentines Day, they continue that tradition.
Love,
February
Ally
February 1, 2019 at 4:33 PM
@kimbapnoona @bammsie @justme @greenfields@leetennant @sicarius @wishfultoki @raonah @ally-le@moana @anothernicole @snarkyjellyfish@khalessymd @hotcocoagirl
@oppafangirl @egads
bam 🐢🐌💖~
February 1, 2019 at 4:37 PM
It’s interesting to see the different things and feeling that are revealed when we go away for the first time. My sister is much more verbally and tactilely loving ever since she left for uni, and it shocked some of her friends from back home – sometimes they’d think she didn’t care because she didn’t say so.
Big <3 for family, and for you sharing.
Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 1, 2019 at 7:41 PM
Lol, I was not physically affectionate with those outside my family until I moved ten hours away for uni and suddenly realized I had to get over my dislike of hugs or else go six months at a time with touching another human.
Needless to say, I’m grateful for making friends I could hug.
RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
February 1, 2019 at 4:38 PM
That’s so sweet
greenfields
February 1, 2019 at 4:38 PM
*touched, first thing in the morning.*
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
February 1, 2019 at 4:38 PM
That’s a bit bittersweet, Ally. But it sounds like February 14 is a good day for you.
My father sent me roses every Valentine’s Day until I was about 25 when he accidentally wrote “From the only man who will love you” on the card rather than “From the man who loves you”. He was so embarrassed at how unintentionally creepy it was that he stopped.
Mel
February 1, 2019 at 6:37 PM
Wow! your father sounds so sweet! ❤
Waadmay
February 2, 2019 at 1:02 AM
Comment was deleted
Waadmay
February 2, 2019 at 1:05 AM
Your father is so sweet , I like him already 💝💜💝💜💝💜
Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 1, 2019 at 4:45 PM
I love that story Ally ~ my first year at uni my parents sent me a huge jar of chocolate covered raisins for Valentines Day, and it was my treasure.
They are the ones who taught me to love the holiday, my mom was the one who had us do a big family celebration, and used to say that “it’s a holiday to celebrate love, and anyone who thinks romantic love is the only love worth celebrating is an idiot”
Such eloquence, my mom people.
Shek
February 1, 2019 at 4:46 PM
That’s similar to me. My parents would critique and criticize me, sometimes obviously sometimes blatantly. It was a very difficult time growing, but then I moved out of the house and things changed drastically. Familial relationships are very interesting.
Thank you for sharing!
JustMe
February 1, 2019 at 7:55 PM
Awwww. Love from missing one another.
another woodalchi nicole recruit
February 1, 2019 at 8:28 PM
oh i just love this!! it’s so sweet, in such a genuine and real way. ❤️❤️ and i also love it as a commentary on valentine’s day as a whole—obviously i don’t know your parents, so this is more of a theoretical consideration, but i love that you’ve portrayed val-day as an outlet to some who may not often express things outwardly. it’s ok to be over the top on valentine’s day. the rest of the year we can be ourselves.
Waadmay
February 2, 2019 at 1:05 AM
Aww so sweet 💝💜💝💜💝💜