Be My Valentine

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Valentines day stinks, but I love you.

Me and V-day have a love hate relationship.

The first Valentine’s Day I can remember was in 2005. I was in 9th grade. I had recently had my heart broken, but I still bought my ex boyfriend – who is now my current boyfriend – a card & scrawled some sappy, heartbreaking stuff in it. By the way…I still have that undelivered card 11 years later.

The next Valentine’s day I can remember was my junior year in 2007. Me and my bf at that time had a romantic dinner at..wait for it…Fatz Cafe. After we dined in style, and probably consumed 5 rolls a piece, we went to the parking lot to discover a flat tire. That’s where I learned to change my first tire, and I also learned not to rely on men. Happy Vday to me!

I love romance as the next girl. Even though I’m a realist, I still enjoy being in love and all the wonderful feelings that go with it, but I don’t love Valentines day. I believe that you should show your loved ones how much you care EVERY day, not just one day a year.

This year for Vday, I had just some pretty big surgery, so I was bed bound and out of commission, but I was able to do some wonderful DIY Valentine’s for my favorite friends and loved ones.

To make your own DIY Valentines, you’ll need:
-A few thin canvases (Hobby Lobby $4 for 4)
-Acrylic paint (I have lots of colors, but stuck with a pretty gold metallic for this project)
-Assorted paint brushes
-White cardstock paper (optional – I used for stenciling purposes)
-Mod Podge (optional)

I used Pinterest to find some design inspiration, but for the arrows and feather canvases, I just freehanded the designs with a thin paintbrush. For the ‘Love’ canvas, I simply cut out a paper heart out of the white cardstock. Using a freehand font, I painted the ‘love’ across the paper heart and let it dry. Meanwhile on a blank white canvas, I painted the whole canvas the metallic gold. Once the paint was nearly dry, I used some Mod Podge to secure the paper heart to the canvas.

On the back of each canvas, I wrote a sweet little note to all of my valentines. These DIY Valentines are both sweet and personal and are the perfect little sercies for desktops, bedrooms, or bar carts.

Xx,

23 Reasons Why Moms are the Absolute Best

I think Juvenile said it best when he said “She get it from her mama.”

Oh where she get her eyes from? She get it from her mamma
Oh where she get her thighs from? She get it from her mamma
Where she learn how to cook from? She get it from her mamma
Oh where she get them looks from? She get it from her mamma
But where she get that ass from? She get it from her mamma
But where she get her class from? She get it from her mamma
– Juvenile 

While the above rap song may not be the most tactful way to express my feelings, I truly grow to appreciate my mother, for multiple reasons, more and more each day. As we all age and mature, I believe everyone begins to grow more appreciative of their mothers, and realize that no matter how old we get, we still need them. So without being too terribly sentimental (I’m a glass and a half of wine deep in some cab, so this post may get sappier as you read), here are the:

23 Reasons Why Moms are the Absolute Best

1. They carried you safely inside of them for 9 months, distorted their bodies, and had to give up wine. 
2. They fixed your hair, dressed you, and kept you from looking like a hot mess as a child (bless those of you whose fathers never had to do your hair when your mom was out of town). 
3. They teach you manners. 
4. They can read your mood, good and bad,  without you saying a word.
5. They listen to your problems, as big or as small as they may be.
6. They have seen you at your worst, and still love you at your worst.
7. They try to keep up with the times and learn the most current lingo — bless. They teach you the true meaning of ‘unconditional’: unconditional love, unconditional support, & unconditional honesty.
8. They are always on your team.
   
9. They would take every ounce of your pain just to see you to be happy.
10. They teach you about love. They are excited for your first kiss, they are happy when you fall in love, and they hold you tight when you have your heart broken.
    
11. They pray for you daily – “A mother’s prayer is the most powerful force in the world.”
12. They will always be honest with you, even if that means telling you that your outfit is not flattering — this one I relate to all too often. 
    
13. They put themselves last and rarely complain about it — it is a fact, that mothers are always the last to sit down at the dinner table. 
14. They are our best friends.
15. They always know how to get the stains out of your most prized shirt. Can I get an AMEN for all the times your mom saved an article of your clothing?
16. They are there for all your milestones — your first step, your first kiss, your first bad grade, & your first hangover.
    
17. They share your excitement with and for you, whether it’s for an A on a paper, a new boyfriend, a college acceptance letter, an engagement, or a pregnancy announcement. 
18. They keep you humble. 
19. They are the Best. Santas. Ever. (Because we all know if it were up to Dads, there would be no Santa).
    
20. They are always right – even when you hate to admit it.
21. They are all real life super heroes. 
22. They will always be here for us, near or far. Always. 

I know we all give our moms a hard time (and some times it’s warranted), but they truly are the best humans in the world. Hands down. Now go call or text your mama, and tell her you love her, a lot.

Xx,