Tag Archive for valentine’s day

Playgrounds and Paper Footballs…The Glory Days of Romance

February 14, 2011 Jessi Laugh Time, Relationships

Love and relationships were much simpler as a kid. I remember receiving and sending kid relationships(because the Jessi was a modern woman, even then) the old “Check Yes or No” love notes, carefully folded into passion’s true physical form…a paper football. Butterflies in the stomach. Sweet anticipation. Elation or rejection…with one graphite check mark.

The funny thing was, no matter the response, the playground aftermath was the same. We stuck to our cliques, avoiding eye contact and turning crimson if somehow fate would lead us to the awkward position of having to stand near one another while we walked, in a single file line, back into the building.

And then…there was the darker side of grade school romance. When things broke bad…as they always did…much drama would ensue. Now, nobody has ever been able to pinpoint the mysterious reasons how love goes wrong between two third graders who don’t speak to each other (which is how you’re supposed to be behave at that age), yet, it always happened.

Then sides were chosen, vicious names like butthead, boogerface and cootiebreath were thrown around. Hearts were broken, never to heal again…at least, not until after lunch…when a new note would be passed and true love was born again, by way of a sincere, heartfelt, paper football.

My sister shared the following video with me yesterday, which really says it all.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!

flickr.com/photos/sis/98174687

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The Risk Online Dating Sites Don’t Want You To Know About

February 10, 2011 Jessi Laugh Time

online datingAs soon as the Internet became popular, so did the online dating scene. Everyday, a new sure-to-find-you-your-soulmate wonder site pops up, and lonely hearts over the world flock to them.

And why shouldn’t they?

Everybody deserves to find their special someone, right? True. I totally believe that there is, in fact, someone for everyone out there on this great big spinning ball. And I would NEVER begrudge anyone a lifetime of happiness.

In fact, I have a few close friends who have, indeed, found their perfect match on sites like Match.com and eHarmony.com.

Bully for them!

I do think, however, that I’d be remiss in my duty as a friend to women everywhere if I didn’t bring one thing to everyone’s attention before they dive into online dating.

Don’t tell anyone where you heard this, because the government is trying to keep this little known fact under wraps. If, after reading this, I’m never heard from again, you’ll know who to point your fingers at.

Okay, so, it pains me to say this, but, to all of you who are looking for love via the web, keep this in mind…

He just might be a zombie.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Disclaimer: I mean no harm whatsoever toward any online dating sites. This post is totally in jest. I truly do know many people who have found beautiful relationships via such sites as, and including, Match.com and eHarmony.com. I merely ran across this video and it gave me a chuckle, as I’m sure it did you. Smooches, Jessi.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/like_the_grand_canyon/2759403054

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What “Love” Means To Kids

January 28, 2011 Jessi Motherhood, Personal Flair

Valentine’s Day is headed our way, so I thought I’d ask my little men what exactly love tiny prints valentinesmeant to them. The first time I asked, they all looked at me as if I was asking them to recite the Gettysburg Address, then ran off to do their own things.

It’s pretty much what I expected from three boys, five and under, so I tried a different technique. I call it “Cornering them while they’re eating ice cream.”

This went much better for me.

Me: What is love?

Devin, 1-year-old: What? (Shoves a spoonful of neopolitan in his mouth)

Jaxon, 3-years-old: I’m a rockstarrrrrr! (raises spoon in the sky and lets the ice cream ooze and plop back into his bowl) YEAH!

Kyan, 5-years-old: I love you, and daddy, and Jax and Devi.

Realizing my question wasn’t exactly being understood, I ask another way.

Me: But, what does the word “love” mean to you? How do you know you love your family?

Devin: *nothing but crickets*

Jaxon: Bear hugs! GRRRRRRRR!

Kyan: Love is like when you’re eating your pizza and I’ve finished mine, so you give me the rest of yours. If you didn’t love me, you wouldn’t share, and then my tummy would be soooooo hungry. A family shares, that’s how you know.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Love is a pretty big concept for such little people. It’s a small word designated to a strong emotion. Love is simple to children. They don’t understand the complexities that are wrapped up into such a tiny, big word. Love is as simple as frosty ice cream snacks, bear hugs and sharing. I love that, because it’s true. Love isn’t a word. It’s a feeling. It’s knowing that the bear hugs are always waiting and a tummy won’t ever have to be hungry as long as someone you love is around.

How will you share your love with someone this Valentine’s Day? Perhaps with a sweet card from Tiny Prints’ wonderful variety of Valentine’s Day Cards?

Tiny Prints provides simple, modern and unique stationery from Valentines Day cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities. With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch! They offer perfect party invitations for every occasion and memorable personalized photo-gifts like notebooks, photo books and calendars.

Disclaimer- Tiny Prints sponsored this post and I will be compensated with a gift card to their store for sharing what my kids think love means. This opportunity was shared with me through Global Influence.

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Seven Weeks to an Unforgotten Valentine’s Day

January 1, 2011 Jessi Holiday, Laugh Time, Relationships

Christmas is over.

You’ve nursed your New Year’s hangover…or in my case…did your New Year’s laundry.

Once you’re finished breathing that sigh of relief that the big holidays are through, it’s time to turn your sights to Valentine’s Day. Not so much getting your shopping done, because every woman is quite aware of February 14th, but for the old man.

All across the nation, men pretend to be shocked by Valentine’s Day.

Every. Single. Year.

Please.

This isn’t rocket science, fellas. It falls on February 14th.

Every. Single. Year.

Who do they think they’re fooling? Unless they’re completely without any exposure to media of any kind, they know there’s a chick holiday coming. And they know what we want. No matter what our individual concepts of romance are, from jewelry and roses to serving heart-shaped pancakes in bed after getting the kids up and off to school, they know what we want. They just don’t want to admit it, because then we’ll expect it every year…and dare I say it…on our anniversaries.

Well, this year…shoot that craptastic man-move down by making it completely clear that you know that he knows that you know that he knows…Valentine’s Day is on its way. The key here is launching the assault campaign early.

WEEK ONE

Hop online and sign him up for every jewelry store and florist’s newsletter and mailing list you can find.

WEEK TWO

Grab every magazine in the house and cut out pictures of your dream Valentine’s Day gift and letters to send a special, anonymous note. Plaster your pictures on it all over the place…the crazier the better. Then in “ransom note style” plaster the message:

Mail it from the post office.

WEEK THREE

“Accidentally” text, skype AND tweet him…”Yeah, I know. It’s only 4 weeks away. I’ve got a really special plan for (enter your man’s name here).” A couple minutes later, text, skype and tweet him…”Oops…forget you saw that.”

WEEK FOUR

Place Valentine’s wrapping paper on his side of the bed for him to find when he goes to lie down.

WEEK FIVE

Slip flyers he’s misplaced in the trash can into every piece of reading material he keeps around the house…including no less then three in whatever “pacifier” he keeps next to the porcelain throne.

WEEK SIX

As you’re making your grocery list, casually ask him if you need to shop for a special dinner for Valentine’s Day or if he’s already made reservations.

WEEK SEVEN

This is it ladies. Do or die. The big show.

Shave your legs…ALL THE WAY UP. Men know this is an indicator that something awesome awaits if he remembers why you voluntarily shaved mid-winter.

So there it is, devious divas. A fail-proof plan for scoring big on Valentine’s Day. There’s no way he can pretend he didn’t know it was coming. If your joker doesn’t come through as the king of hearts, you need to forget the holiday altogether or get a new deck!

Photo: flickr.com/photos/julietbanana/3739603460

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