Galentine’s and little love tokens

In the winter of 2008/2009, Nic and I were in Morocco and one of my best friends was getting married in Indiana. It was pretty miraculous that I was able to be there for the Valentine’s Day wedding - although I did spend more time in transit than at my destination. But I was leaving Nic behind for Valentine’s Day. I wanted to do something Valentines-y, but we didn’t have any spare money so special deliveries and even presents weren’t options.

The night before I was set to fly out, I remembered that I had some red felt and I quickly cut it into a bunch of hearts and hid them around the house. Under Nic’s pillow, in the silverware drawer. Next to our toothbrushes. You get the picture. While I was away, he kept finding little hearts all around the place; each one a little token of love.

Fast forward a number of years and I was making lunch for my daughter. She was struggling with pre-school drop offs and I kept thinking that I wish there was a way that she could know I loved her and give a sense of connection when I couldn’t be there in person. I remembered the felt hearts and quickly whipped out my crochet hook and some red yarn and made a petite heart to pop into her lunch box. She loved it and added it to her little stash of things she collects. When she went off to kindergarten, I made sure she had the heart in her pocket so she could reach in and touch it whenever she wished she could reach out and touch mommy.

I don’t decorate the house for Valentine’s Day, but I have thrown a couple of Galentine’s parties. (Nic even got me a waffle maker for my birthday last year because I love Leslie Knope so much.) Thinking about non-romantic love (or “rotic” - romantic without the “man” as we used to say in college) is something I can definitely get behind. I want more ladies celebrating ladies in my life and things like crocheted hearts are way more likely to be appreciated by the ladies in my life.

This beauty can be a spontaneous gift that doesn’t cost a dime. It is quick, but handmade and heartfelt. I know it’s just a little pattern, so I wanted to make it a free download. If you haven’t picked up your hook in a while, this is the perfect chance for a fun, quick project to share with one of your best gal-pals.

Free Download