A GirlTalk Valentine’s Day: Idea #1

We’ve been getting some great ideas from you ladies. Keep ‘em coming! Our first GirlTalk Valentine's Day submission comes from Elaini, and it’s a great idea for singles or families.

Yesterday our family was blessed with an anonymous traveling Valentine from another family from our church. When we awoke we were greeted with a lawn filled with large paper hearts attached to stakes and balloons on sticks.  On each of the hearts were scriptures on love with the word “love” enlarged to fill most of the heart.  They were beautifully made and laminated.  At the front door was a large plastic envelope.  Inside we discovered a journal, pen, two disposable cameras, postcards, and instructions.  The instructions told us that we had been the recipients of a traveling Valentine. 

First off we were to read the journal entry that had been written particularly for our family with words of encouragement and appreciation.  Then we were to take a picture of our family with the yard decorations.  Next we were to prayerfully decide which family in the church to which to pass on the blessing.  After that decision had been made we wrote a note of appreciation in the journal to them.  We then had 24-48 hours from the time of receiving to secretly and stealthily plant the hearts and balloons along with the packet in their yard (this usually takes place after they have gone to bed and is a lot of fun).  Then we came home to report a successful or unsuccessful mission on the addressed and stamped postcards that had been provided.  These postcards were addressed to the church PO Box.  Here is a sample of the postcard:

The __________ Family was “loved” on February ____, 2006.

Our family’s reaction to this expression of love:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

We chose to pass on this “love” to the _____________ Family, and passed on the Love hearts to their yard on February, ____, 2006.  We were successful/unsuccessful (circle) in our stealth and secrecy.

The postcards are meant to track the progress of the Valentine.  This Valentine was intended to circulate for one month and the last recipient is to bring everything to church and give it to a deacon.  I still do not know what they will do with the pictures and journal but it was such a blessing to receive and then pass on the gift.  This would be a fun idea for care groups.  I hope this idea is a blessing.

Elaini’s idea reminds me of one way my sister-in-law’s husband expresses his love for her. Each year on Valentine’s Eve (usually after Betsy has gone to sleep) Gary decorates the front yard. He puts hearts on stakes in the ground or spells out “Gary Loves Betsy” with lights in the bushes or hangs hearts from the tree. In this creative way, Gary reminds all the neighbors, and Betsy most of all, of his constant love and affection. Wives, I think we could do something like this, don’t you?

Thanks to Elaini and Betsy for today’s ideas. Check back tomorrow for more Valentine creativity!