Valentine's Box

When I was in elementary school, the Valentine's Day party was a much anticipated day. Part of the celebration was to create a box to hold all your Valentine cards. These were usually decorated shoe boxes. We would set the boxes on our desks during the party and go around and deposit our cute little Valentines cards. The teacher would judge the Valentine boxes and award a little prize to the best one.

One year Mom had a great idea. I think I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. She took a clothes hanger and shaped it into a heart shape leaving the hanger part intact. Then out came some red cloth and lace. She cut out and sewed a wonderful lace edged heart shape with a pocket in front which fit perfectly around the clothes hanger. I was so excited because finally I was going to win the contest. Mary N., the school superintendent's daughter, always won the prize. Kids aren't dumb, we figured there was some brown-nosing going on. But that didn't matter this year because mine was so unique and pretty that I was going to win!!

I hung it on the front of my flip top desk with pride when the party started. I don't remember all the details but I remember the excitement when it came to announce the best Valentines box winner. "And the winner is...Mary N.!!!" I'm sure I probably cried a little. I don't remember what Mary N. had for a box and I bet she doesn't remember any of them. I'll always remember my heart shaped, lace edged Valentine hanger.