A Valentine From the Past
Life had settled into a familiar rhythm until one of my students handed me a Valentine. The moment I unfolded it, my breath caught. I knew this card. I had written it years ago for someone I once cared for deeply. But how had it ended up in his hands? I needed to know—even if it changed everything.
Teaching elementary school was never as easy as people assumed. It wasn’t just about lesson plans and storytime; it was about untangling shoelaces, wiping away tears, and reminding kids that glue was not a snack. Despite the daily chaos, I loved my job.
Among my students that year was Mark. He was different—quiet but not shy, always kind and thoughtful. He often left small gifts on my desk—a drawing, a flower, even a neatly folded napkin shaped like a swan. Mark had only been in my class for a month, still adjusting, but he carried himself with a maturity beyond his years.
On Valentine’s Day, he approached my desk, shifting nervously.
“I wanted to give you a Valentine,” he said.
“For me?” I asked with a smile.
He nodded. “You’re a great teacher.”
Touched, I accepted the card and unfolded it. My breath hitched.
“To the funniest and smartest boy I know. Don’t you dare forget me. Yours, Annie.”
I stared at the handwriting—it was mine.
“Mark, where did you get this?”
“In my dad’s stuff,” he said cheerfully. “It even has your name on it! Do you like it?”
I swallowed hard. “Yes, Mark. I love it.”
He grinned and ran off, leaving me frozen. My mind raced. The only person I had written that Valentine to was Jason—my first love.
We had spent high school dreaming of a future together, believing nothing could separate us. But life had other plans. Jason’s family had moved overseas, and despite promises to stay in touch, time had pulled us apart. Now, his son was in my classroom, holding a piece of our past.
After school, curiosity got the best of me. I checked Mark’s file. His father’s name: Jason.
This wasn’t a coincidence.
The next day, as I was packing up my classroom, a deep voice interrupted my thoughts.
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