love noodle.
Last year, I had the best Valentines Day imaginable. And, it was not because of diamonds, fancy locales, or any other gesture of the sort. It was because we spent the entire day disguised, handing out handmade valentines to complete strangers.
a clean getaway
Not only was it marvelous to spend the days leading up it with two of my favorite girlfriends, Alisha and Johnna, making all 175 valentines, but handing the valentines out to people just felt so wonderful!
We went to brunch that morning at Broder Cafe and then piled into the car, clad in curious and secretive disguises (It all felt very Amelie). Scott and Josh, in fake mustaches and sunglasses, drove us around town while we jumped out of the car in black bandit masks and bouncing heart headbands to give the valentines to random strangers.
What did we call the project? Love Always Portland. It was supposed to be a super-secretive project that we vowed to tell no one about, but when some photos landed on facebook about a week ago, I took that as an opportunity to share it here and potentially recruit more LAP members to join in on the fun this year!
clean getaway #2
the valentine bug!
Look how confused those little girls look at the store that Alisha is coming out of. “Okay, I know about Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny, but WHO was that?”
At the days end, when we arrived home exhausted and needing a re-charge, Alisha and I logged into the blog to see if anyone had left a comment about their valentines. There was one single comment on there (not that we had expected any at all). This comment alone made all of the time we put into the project more than worth it. It was from a woman who had gotten one of the valentines we had left on her car late in the eve of Valentines Day. She had found it that morning.
She said that her late husband used to leave little love letters on her car for her. Ever since he had passed away three years prior, the holiday had always been quite lonely and difficult for her. When she came across the card the morning of Valentines Day, she said she cried tears of joy, as if in some way he were speaking to her through the universe…or through this little project.
I cried too. It was the most touching moment for all of us involved.
How inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
Glad you liked the post Sandy.
Thank you again for being so inspiring! I absolutely love that valentine – kar-el and I always say “I love you a noodle” I may have to steal that idea this year.
What a great idea! The story at the end made me cry. The universe works in such mysterious ways.
You guys are too cool.
The secret is unveiled. I love making valentines… even thought of making some while I’m so sick in bed… but then I get tired. I’d get on the LAP bandwagon if you need recruits.
that would be super!!! sorry you have been sick Cinda. I hope you are on the healing path now!