8.MyForeverValentineThetraditionalholidaysinourhousewhenIwasachildwerespenttimingelaboratemealsaroundfootballgames.Myfathertriedtomakepleasantchitchatandeatasmuchashecouldduringhalftime.AtChristmashefoundtimetohaveacuportwoofholidaycheeranddohisholly-shapedbowtie1.ButhedidnttrulyshineuntilValentinesDay.IdontknowwhetheritwasbecauseworkattheofficeslowedduringFebruaryorbecausethefootballseasonwasover.ButValentinesDaywasthetimemyfatherchosetoshowhisloveforthespecialpeopleinhislife.OvertheyearsIfondly2thoughtofhimasmy“ValentineMan.”Myfirstrecollection3ofthemagic4hecouldbringtoValentinesDaycamewhenIwassix.ForseveraldaysIhadbeencuttingoutvalentinesformyclassmates.Eachofuswastodecoratea“mailbox”andputitonourdeskforotherstogiveuscards.Thatboxanditscontentsusheredin5asuccession6ofbittersweet7memoriesof