What can we learn from the innocence of children about the true nature of Valentine’s Day?
Six year old Jett was writing out his Valentine’s Day cards this morning.
“One for Paul, Justin, Kwon, Ashton, Michael, Derek…”
“What about Lauren, Zandra, or Sophia? Don’t you want to give cards to some girls?” I prodded.
“No girls,” Jett said without even looking up.
At first I was a bit disappointed that Jett didn’t have a special girl to give a card to. One of the other parents told me that his first grader had made matching Rainbow Loom bracelets for he and his sweetheart. 
Then I caught myself in my socially conditioned heterosexuality.
When I was able to see the beauty of the present moment, I felt a touch of jealousy. My son had the freedom to express his love to all the boys that he knew. He had a shared bond with these boys that was not tainted by homophobia or puffed up versions of manliness.
I thought about Rarasaur’s post on an alternate form of Valentine’s Day and fantasized about a day where men could show love for each other without shame, aversion, or homophobia. Where we could hug each other tenderly, heart to heart rather than be forced to chest-bump or bro-hug. Where we could look into each others eyes and tell each other how much we appreciated everything that we have done for each other.
I thought about Macklemore’s song “Same Love”:
“When I was in the third grade, I thought that I was gay, because I could draw and my uncle was and I kept my room straight.”
Maybe the reason, Macklemore thought he was gay in the third grade was because he had genuine feelings for some of the boys that he called friends. I hope my son can keep his heart open to anyone who he has strong feelings for regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or culture.
I’m starting to experience what I’ve always heard, “Love is all you need.” Isn’t it a shame that we are socialized to stop loving half the population in the third grade?
Thanks for reading, smiling, and/or sharing.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all my brothers and sisters.
everyday gurus 
Beauty Kozo–
Love is Love.
Period.
So simple yet so profoundly stated, johnny. I totally agree. Happy Valentines Day.
Immediately after reading your beautiful post, I came across this:
http://gma.yahoo.com/accidental-39-love-39-derailed-gay-navy-seal-153310072–abc-news-topstories.html
Maybe things are changing. I certainly hope so, for all our children.
Peace
Bless you, and the Happiest of Valentine’s Day to you!!! Cher xo
& Happy Valentine’s Day to you too, Kozo. ♥ This is such a beautiful thought. I think we’re getting to a place where this is slowly becoming possible. There may always be judgmental people out there, but now at least the understanding, empathetic ones balance them out.
Hope he keeps that openness
{Hugs}
Me too, EBL. I’m hoping that all boys keep that openness. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Absolutely and perfectly stated!!!
Thanks, M. I hope we can make this a reality. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
So very true and hopeful. As a seventy-six year old woman, I am finally able to enjoy people to people meaningful conversations and sincere affection with men that never seemed able to get around the gender differences when we were young. Also have many tender loving relationships with women now that competition is a waste of time. These are all such a lovely enriching experiences. So sad it took getting so old to manage it.
Yay, Eileen, what a wonderful life. I want to create the same open, love-filled world right here right now. {{{hugs}}} kozo