The following are finalists who are being considered to become the Tribune’s new weekly columnist based on reader feedback. Please send your thoughts about the columnists to Managing Editor Sarah Stultz by email at sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com or by mail at 808 W. Front St. in Albert Lea. Please clarify in your comments whether your remarks are intended to be printed as a letter to the editor or simply read by the Editorial Board. Comments must be received by Saturday.

 

Guest Column by Jana Smith

 

Take a deep breath. Hold it. Now let it out. Do you feel it? There is something special about this month, this week, this Valentine’s Day. Minnesota has been “graced” with an abundance of snow as of late, creating a wintery scene of white nearly everywhere we look. Whether it disturbs you or inspires you, it has created the perfect backdrop for the vibrant shades of glittery reds and pinks that adorn school hallways, retail shops, social media and flamboyant seasonal fashionistas. As you take in this beautiful picture, you can’t help but feel something special in the air.

If you have a stake in the color wheel, you know firsthand that those shades of red and pink represent some pretty strong, emotional feelings. While pink is often associated with friendship, romance and charm, red can be used to symbolize that of courage and passion. Any way you look at it, this color combination seems to create some sort of buzz, as if just being exposed to these colors triggers some sort of extra emotional burst of adoration for those whom we care about the most.

I remember back in grade school as Valentine’s Day approached, the excitement was, at times, unbearable. It all began with the hunt for an unused shoebox hiding in the closet, and then decorating it with all things pink and red. I purposely cut the opening on top of my box big enough to allow generous portions of candy to slip in easily, just in case. And on the day of the party, I carefully dropped a personalized valentine in each of my classmates’ boxes. The afternoon would be filled with games, laughter, red punch and pink-frosted sugar cookies. But the real icing on the cookie would be opening up my own shoebox filled with valentines. I would carefully read each one when I got home and make note who had signed it on the back. Sometimes, there would even be an extra handwritten message or two. There was something special about getting a valentine from each person in my class. It was as though it connected us just a little bit closer, affirming that we all were a bit more than just deskmates. I had a group of friends that really cared about me.

Fast forward now to adulthood, and as an observer, I still see that anticipation for validation.  It seems to be the one day that either gives us permission to lather on our affection for others or forces us to. And whether you are one that goes above and beyond to show your feelings or you are buckling under holiday pressure, the fact is, more often than not, the effort is made.

Working for a card company, I see firsthand many of those who do make the effort. The planners are in shopping several weeks ahead of the big day and carefully peruse the seasonal card area, looking for the card that mimics their own personal thoughts. But the fun is watching those who wait until the morning of the heart-filled day. I urge you to take in that experience at some point if you haven’t already. The card aisle is filled with a multitude of anxious shoppers. It’s the last opportunity before the work day begins and the holiday ends to get something that shows they care. There are still those who take a few minutes to read the cards and select one that appears to be appropriate.  But many, at this point, are too stressed to worry about it. The bigger and more bedazzled, the better, right? As they grab and dash out of the congestion, I can only hope that when they sign the card for their significant other, they have indeed picked one out that doesn’t leave their sweethearts scratching their heads.

But the beauty in the chaos is that they have made the effort to go to a store on a busy holiday when, in reality, it is probably the last place they want to be. That act of selflessness should count for something. And with all the red and pink at every turn, they won’t limit themselves to just a card, because there are flowers and chocolates and big, cute, soft, snuggly, stuffed animals and — take a deep breath. Hold it. Let it out. Do you feel it? Ah, it must be love!

Jana Smith is a wife, mom, grandma and seasoned merchandiser.