3.5 miles: As adults, many of us loath the fluff surround and around Valentine's Day. Many of us see it as a single day where surface level "loves" are faked and bought like chocolates or necklaces or materialistic items. And I have to say, up until I became a teacher, I really could have passed on this day as well until I realized that in an eight year old's mind-this holiday is in fact the most beautiful day in the world. 

Have you ever seen a child pass out cards with a smile so large it could light up the world?

Or make sure that the individual they gave the gift to actually does like it?

Or help another navigate the bags in the classroom because that individual is having a hard time navigating himself?

Or creating a bag that has everything to do with joy on the outside? 

Or constantly chattering about (not what was received) but instead what was given?

Or becoming so excited about the kindness chain in the classroom that the entire morning meeting is just filled with everyone noticing everyone else's act of kindness. As children, I think it is safe to say that we are the most beautiful versions of ourselves. There is no cynicism but trueness. There is rarely any judgement but just a want to "be" and life is full of little joys and little wonders and love and blessings and kindness and this mentality that a bad day can always be turned around into a good one and worries but not ones that always shake our ability to see the world with clear and loving eyes. 

and in the midst of all of these festivities, you are brought a homemade piece of bread from the child who has been baking with her father. And your discussions about bread she has not forgotten as she whispers into your ear, "This is the special piece I made for you. When it is warmed with butter...it tastes that much better." Perhaps never forgotten that this reminded me of the prayer I always say inside my heart as I eat every meal, "We love our bread...We love our butter..But most of all...we love eachother." So in the attempts to change your mind if you are one of those individuals who loaths the holiday that is Valentine's Day. Just remember-that the joy in love should be carried out every day. And we should always take time to remember that...we love our bread...we love our butter...but most of all...we love eachother.