Valentine’s Day was a fun family day when I was a youngster because Mother made it so.  She had been a school teacher and held parties for her students.  Even though she was no longer taught after we four children were born (school districts were very reluctant to hire married teachers, particularly ones with children, in those days), she introduced us to many of the activities she’d enjoyed with her students.  She also cooked special foods for Valentine’s Day, midst her busy day of mom and farm wife duties.

Mother decorated a cake with white frosting and red hearts.  When we were old enough, sister …read more