hallmark

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this year, as with every year, i found a valentine's card from my twenty-year-running valentine.  the simple envelope is labeled with "stephie" in cursif, underscored by a double line.  the crowned watermark says Hallmark.com.  the outside says "daughter," and i notice immediately when i open the card that there is nothing written except a small "dad" in that same beautiful ballpoint script.  the print reads,

love that you're strong
and good
and care about things
far bigger than yourself.
love that you're so beautiful
in all the ways that matter.

happy valentine's day,
with love

(i think sometimes we forget that 'hallmark' means a designation of distinctive features, of excellence - the certification of a standard of purity. it hardly seems worth discarding something plain and wonderful to spite something commercial.  days are special because they are meant, aren't they?  to you, from me, with love.)

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