by Todd Christian

Created on: February 04, 2008

My little one handed me a piece of white card stock that was decorated with a multicolored smearing of finger paint. "It's a Valentine," he said.

I had no idea what the picture on the card was, but it filled me with an indescribable liquid happiness that obviously showed on my face. My little boy beamed with pride. Then he jump-stepped the two paces between us and hugged my leg like he'd float away if he let go.

It was one of the most genuine feelings of love I've ever felt, balanced out only by the overwhelming guilt I felt minutes later, when the babysitter arrived. He had been at day school, and I had been at work. We only shared an exchange of cards and hugs. It was a warm moment, but his downturned face washed away the cozy fuzzy feeling.

There are few things more heartwarming than a Valentine's expression of love from a child - when there are no obligations, guilt or standards to measure up to - just love.

But kids often get overlooked when it comes to celebrating. They are usually given a stock card and bag of sugary goodies and left at home with the babysitter.

I really think he would have been okay with our going out to dinner as a couple if only he had been given a chance to share that celebration of closeness before we left him with someone for who he had no feelings.

This year, I won't make the same mistake. Here are my ideas - so far - for including our affectionate little one in our Valentine's Day celebration:

KIDS' VALENTINE COUPON BOOK
My little one isn't old enough to read just yet, but he is quick to make a connection between words, pictures and actions. Instead of the traditional coupon book - in which a partner is given a little book of coupons like "One free back massage," "One night on the town," etc. - we're giving him a picture coupon book.

A slip with a picture of his playroom will mean one hour of drop-everything-and-play-with-me time. A slip with a picture of a book is similar, but with reading and story time. A shot of his time-out chair with a big "X" through it is a "get out of jail free" card, and there will be countless coupons for hugs, walks, and other easy expressions of care.

HEART HUNT
Instead of just slapping down a few chocolates and treating the day like a muted Christmas, we'll hide small paper hearts around the house like Easter Eggs. Each heart found can be traded for a candy/present - but only after he associates each heart with someone who loves him. We'll write the name on the heart and use it next.

SHARING THE LOVE
Once we've labeled all of our hearts, we'll sit down (wolfing down chocolate) and write a little note - dictated word for word - to each identified "loved one." Then we'll take a picture of him holding the labeled heart, print it out, and hand-deliver it to everyone within driving distance.

CRAFTS
No holiday would be complete for a child without coloring pages, cutouts and crafts. These, of course, will be displayed prominently on our refrigerator for a month - or until the next bounty of handmade mementos arrives.

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