Kim Habicht, Nederland.

On the last cold and crisp day of January, talk of love and Valentines warmed the cafeteria

of Nederland Elementary School. Sandwiches and juice boxes were abandoned as students,

ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, swarmed me, eager to share their family’s Valentine’s

Day traditions. As the children lined up, their high-wattage smiles beaming, they mused over

their Valentine wish-lists. They all spoke matter-of- factly about their Valentine’s traditions, as

seasoned Valentine’s Day experts. Although ways in which the holiday is celebrated varies, the

Nederland Elementary School students all have one thing in common: they are anxiously

counting down the days until Cupid decorates the halls of their school.

Juniper Hall is a third grader at Nederland Elementary School. To celebrate Valentine’s Day,

he makes Valentine cards and delivers them to each of his classmates in their Valentine

mailboxes. His celebration doesn’t stop at school, though. Traditionally, Hall and his family paint

rocks white and write positive messages on them, like “You’re sweet.” Then, he and his family

go around his neighborhood and pass them out. “Valentine’s Day is a day where you can have fun

and hang out with your family,” he said.

Myla Brenick, a third grader at the school, is anxious for chocolate, Jolly Ranchers and “lots

of candy.” To celebrate, her family, “rides bikes up and down the street and gives out

Valentines.” The “Valentines Monster” visits Brenick’s house every year, bringing treats.

Maya Stevens is also a third grader at Nederland Elementary School. To her, Valentine’s

Day is, “a nice day to appreciate your friends, hug your friends and hang out with them. You can

tell them that they’re a good friend.”

Trinity Angle is a third grader that just moved to Nederland in July. Valentine’s Day is

particularly special to her because it’s her friend’s birthday. She and her classmates give

Valentines to each other.

Mackinley Abel, a second grader, has a unique Valentine’s Day family tradition. “We go

bowling!” she said. Abel goes with her older sister and family. Without skipping a beat, Abel

knew exactly what candy she favors on the holiday. “Chocolate and lollipops!”

Javier and Jordan Kilmer are brothers at Nederland Elementary School. Both focused on the

meaning of the holiday, aside from candy and presents. To Jordan, Valentine’s Day means that,

“Everyone deserves love and to not be left out.”

“We go out and go to dinner and have ice cream,” Javier said. “We also give people stuff

and sometimes we play games and board games in class.”

Rory McLaughlin, a second grader, is awaiting gifts from her dad on Valentine’s Day. Her

dad usually gets her and her older sister gifts. Last year, McLaughlin said, he got her chocolate.

The year before that, he gifted them both with keychains.

McLaughlin’s older sister’s half-birthday is also on Valentine’s Day, so sometimes they

throw a celebration for her. “We make a small piñata for her birthday sometimes,” she said.

Anabelle Alper, a second grader, is anxious for Valentine’s Day “because we get to celebrate

with family.” Alper’s family might make a cake on Valentine’s Day or watch a movie.

“I’m going to give my friends lollipops that tattoo your tongue!” she said. She’s hoping to

receive a Hatchimal as a gift.

Both Alper and McLaughlin will be attending a Valentine’s Day Father-Daughter dance with

their dads. McLaughlin has gone before with her dad, and described the dance’s ambience,

saying, “There’s fake roses and small candles.”

Alper plans to wear a “big sparkly dress with no shoulders” to the dance.

Although each child had a different way of celebrating – some with family, some with

friends and classmates – each one emphasized that it was a day to appreciate loved ones. Love

abounds at Nederland Elementary School, and the students are eager to share and show it.