What is Valentine's Day? It is the scribble of crayons, the slosh of glue, and the streak of paints as children create their valentines. It's the paper heart with "I love you, Mommy" or "I love you, Daddy" on it that the younger child proudly presents to his parents.

Valentine's Day is Mom sitting up until 2 a.m. on February 13 addressing valentines for junior's third grade party. Later, it's the bag full of valentines that broke on the way home, spilling candy and cards in the snow.

The day is little brother's snickering disgust as his older sister smiles over flowers and candy from her boy friend and Mom and Dad kissing a special hello in the doorway.

Valentine's Day is Cupid and his arrow and red and white hearts in the stores. It's walking hand‑in‑hand; big fluffy, fancy cards; flowers; and candy‑but also it's the spirit of love.

Valentine's Day is that special day of the year when the spirit of love and all its meanings are shown.

Little children smile with pride and innocent love as they hand Mom the noodle‑covered boxes and Dad a pink and purple jar‑for his cuff links‑all carefully and lovingly created in school.

The girls smile and sigh over roses and heart‑shaped candy boxes, while Moms smile watching their daughters and remembering.

Whether it's a mother's memories, a daughter's joy, a child's pride, a little brother's snicker, or a dad's box of candy for his wife, the spirit of Valentine's Day‑Love ‑is brought to many people, of all ages, in many ways.