VALENTINE’S MEMORIES 1993 - 2022
Thirty years of valentine hugs and kisses
All that is real in our past is the love we gave and the love we received
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The rst year, a simple one page card with Cupid standing on a pedestal shooting his potent darts into the sky. Many unwary recipients were in store for a surprise from Cupid
1993
A card was put together as a fun joke to send to friends on a special day! Valentine’s involves a touch or booty, and the cards occasionally flirted with that concept, but rather tastefully. The cards became popular and the tradition has continued thanks to my good friends, Nick Follger, the photographer and his wife Michele, the editor and graphic designer. The poetry is mine as well as all the “characters” in the photo’s, that range from “the Thinker”; DorothyScarecrow-Tin Man; The David; a mermaid; a Trucker; a Cherub, and many versions and poses of Cupid himself !! This book was put together to preserve the cards as a memory of
years of fun, great memories, creativity, and joy to their recipients.
It all started long ago, 1993 to be exact
O
n Valentine’s Day I like to remember and reach out to dear friends that have touched my heart and
lled my past with beauty and blessings.
Thank you for being my friend! May the joy and love of Valentine’s
ll your heart throughout the year and may
your life continue to be
lled with blessings!
So many frogs With no lover within How do I put my lips To their wet green skin
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So pucker up and take a shot You just might hit a real jackpot
… why I would send Valentine’s cards each year? Yes, the cards would rarely make the “Hallmark” list of “approved” Valentine’s, but sometimes that is part of the fun isn’t it? I try to make them playful so as to impart a sense of friendship rather than romance. Perhaps it is all ego and self aggrandizement, and it would be easy to reach such a conclusion. But I like to think that my motives really run deeper: Being sentimental and a romantic, Valentine’s has always been my favorite holiday It is a gentle way of saying, “Hi, I hope you are well and enjoying this life and special day” Once I met a friend downtown, and asked how his father was doing, I had not seen him for many years? Soon after I resolved to make time for a visit, which we both enjoyed and recalled some happy memories. A few months later he died and I am forever grateful for the visit, rather than regrets at a funeral. So I like to send cards that hopefully convey a warm greeting and sense that I consider us friends and send good wishes on a Happy Day
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Some on the mailing list are friends from as far back as high school, wives and friends of people that I have worked with over the years, of ce staff at clients, some past girl friends-good memories are a blessing- a Franciscan Nun who is my dearest friend that baptized Vanessa and gave me strength when Colleen was dying, family and friends I have known over the years but rarely get to see or visit with anymore. Our culture is too fast paced and there seems to be no time
Kurt,
for a short card or af rmation of friendship, but there always seems to be time to attend a funeral? Did you know that for some of them it is the only Valentine’s card they receive? Shouldn’t every woman receive a Valentine Card? Sr Florence’s mother, who was in her 90's, loved getting a card and would always call Sr Florence and excitedly talk about the card she received. Pat, a retired secretary of my stockbroker, always writes and thanks me for thinking of her each year. Thelma, an 84 year old widow of my Dad’s best friend also writes back with a kind note and thank you for remembering her. And you know Kurt, sometimes the card can be more than a card. Mary Margaret Brajcich told me once that her father had died and she spent a week in Arizona attending to the unpleasant details. On her sad return she was met by a stack of mail and the Valentine was on the top of the pile. She smiled and said to herself, “I know it is going to be ok” Her telling me that story was very touching and special So, you see, Colleen would be proud of me, we always sent a Christmas card with a picture of our family each year. But somehow the Valentine’s seems special, and I hope my friends also appreciate the thought? These perspectives may not be obvious and I hope shed some light on what a card can mean. Investing is about money and gain, Valentine’s are about life and friends. Ron
1994
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Getting a little bolder and ashing a little more skin, Cupid hides behind a pole waiting for a passing Valentine’s who are greeted by a bare chested Marine, asking her to be his Valentine
1995
Cupid gets out his spurs to attract a lovely Valentine
1996
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Cupid takes to the road in his Peterbilt truck, bringing owers and good wishes to his Valentine
1997
Stretching and yawning, Cupid prepares for a busy day of soaring and shooting well placed arrows to his Valentine
Cupid dons his boxing gloves to ght his way into his Valentine’s heart
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1998
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1999
Cupid in ight aims his arrow at the heart of his Valentine
2000
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The rst year of digital capability, Cupid embarks with a nice suit, chocolates and roses only to have his re ection display his rose colored Valentines brief!
2001
2002
Rafael was enlisted to paint some innocent cherubs to send Valentine’s greetings
2003
Returning from Oz, Cupid meets Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man and brightens their day
2004
Forest Gump lends a hand with a box of chocolates and a philosophy of life!
2005
Party Cupid looks for a Valentine to bring on the Champaign. You can watch the party or be in the party !
2006
David, being of stone, stands on his pedestal all alone, but sending Valentine’s wishes to al!
2007
Taking to the slopes Cupid knows skiers make better lovers!
2008
Baby Bum
A Tale of the Buns!!
1949-2022
2009
Cupid goes to the sea and meets a mermaid ready for romance
2010
2010 Looking for a prince, among all those frogs.
Pucker up and take a chance!
2011
A singing Valentine card this year, Elvis makes an appearance and sings Hunka Hunka Burning Love!
2012
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Lovely Venus captures Cupid’s attention. Will his arrows y true? Cupid takes time to dance with the maidens of the eld
2013
Super Cupid rips off his disguise, opens his wings and takes to the skies
2014
Cupid thinking of love, while Pepe brings on the bread and wine for his Valentine!
2015
Flying’s too slow, too much hovering still, Cupid delivers the goods in the Cupid Mobile
2016
Cupid succumbs to romance, Venus and Cupid start a romance
2017
Play it again Sam, times to cherish no matter what, we’ll always have Paris!
2018
Cher, give Sonny a chance. Can we have just one more dance?
2019
Cannon Beach is for lovers, two arrows brings a kiss.
2020
Temple of Apollo, goddess galore, put away the arrows, Cupid can’t take anymore
Valentine’s on Sunday, maidens about. Cupid shoots his arrows when they come out.
2021
2022
Merry Christmas
Please send me a wonderful daughter
VANESSA, RON, COLLEEN
MY FAVORITE VALENTINES
VALENTINE CARDS + FEW XMAS CARDS
RON ANDERSON
1993-2022