❤️ The Little Girl Who Saved Her Lunch Money For Valentine's Day
So today is Valentine’s Day.
Let me start by saying, Happy Valentine to everyone. ❤️
Many years ago, I remember how much I used to anticipate this day. I was still in primary school then. I would literally save my lunch money just to buy gifts.
I grew up in a region where the sun blazes over endless plains and the wind carries dust across dry, stubborn earth. The ground there always seems to beg for rain. And when the rain finally comes, it doesn’t play, it pours.
The nights are cooler though. And the stars? So bright they look close enough to touch.
Life there moves with the sun, steady, patient, and unbothered.
One particular afternoon, I came back from school, ate my lunch, and went straight to my mummy’s shop. After finishing my assignments, it suddenly hit me…
Valentine’s Day was coming.
I would quickly check how much I had saved and start calculating in my head. Praying it would be enough to buy gifts for the people I loved.
I had heard about St. Valentine, but honestly, I didn’t know the full story. All I knew was this:
Valentine’s Day was the day you show people you love them.
There were Valentine handkerchiefs then, each for 50 naira. I would count how many I could afford.
Then there was Valentine perfume… that one was for a different category of people 😂
In my little mind, the more special you were, the higher the gift.
And flowers? Around 300 naira. Very pricey for a small primary school girl saving her lunch money. But somehow, I would try.
If I didn’t have enough, I would tell myself:
“Next year, I’ll save more.”
Because the joy I felt when someone received even an ordinary handkerchief from me?
Ehn.
It filled my heart.
I gave a lot. Sometimes too much.
To the extent that when I was older and about to go to school, I was warned:
“If you like, dash people your provisions.” 😂
And of course, along the way, people tried to take advantage of that part of me.
I had to intentionally learn how to say no. Maybe I even overdid it a bit.
Don’t get me wrong, I still give.
But not like that little girl who thought about everyone before herself.
I’m trying to find her again.
But this time, with boundaries.
So why am I saying all this?
Valentine isn’t just for lovers or people with romantic interests.
It’s a day to spread love.
Look around you. Someone needs something you can give.
It might be small. It might be simple. But something that makes someone feel seen. Important and valued.
No matter how little it seems, decide to put a smile on someone’s face today. ❤️
You don’t have to spend much. You don’t have to impress anyone.
Just give, genuinely and with love.
Okay byeeeeee 💕
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