This year, I made sure that Penn, my messenger, delivered the invitations two weeks in advance. Of course, I invited Jerome, and he promised to be there.

        When my guests arrived, dressed in their finest clothes, they were greeted by four footmen in red velvet coats and led into the dining room. Floating from the ceiling were hundreds of pink and white balloons tied with curly silver ribbon. Pink streamers strung with red velvet hearts made a canopy over the dining room table. Vases filled with red roses filled the air with sweet perfume.

        After we had finished eating heart-shaped sandwiches and strawberries, my master pastry chef, Pierre, surprised us all. Along with a slice of Belamor's famous chocolate cake, everyone was presented with their own ice cream sculpture. They were shaped like unicorns, rabbits, lions and castles; each one a miniature work of art --- and almost too beautiful to eat!

        Afterwards, we all played charades; a game where one person acts out a word or phrase and everyone tries to guess what it is. Edwin acted out the phrase; "The early bird catches the worm." He looked so funny, flapping his arms like a chicken that I laughed until I cried. When Gwynn acted out the phrase; "It's the thought that counts," I was able to guess it right away.

       It was time to open my gifts. I unwrapped a shiny pink box with purple ribbon and a tag that read, "from Eleanor." It was a precious necklace with a gold heart. Next I opened Lulu's present. It was a silver hairbrush.

        Then I noticed a little wooden box in the middle of all the fancy packages and picked it up. The picture of a tree was carved into the top. I opened it. Inside, on a square of red velvet, was a little green acorn. I blinked back a tear. I looked up and saw Jerome smiling at me. I remembered the first time Jerome and I met. (For those who haven't read The Spider Queen yet, it was a little acorn falling from an oak tree that brought the two of us together.) From a simple beginning, a strong friendship had grown. "Thank you," I said to Jerome. It was absolutely my favorite gift!

A sentimental gift is a loving gift. It shows the receiver that you know who they are and that you understand what is important to them. And it doesn't have to be expensive to be treasured.

        Valentine's Day is a great time to give a sentimental gift. If your Mom's favorite color is yellow, a flower tied with a yellow ribbon is sure to make her smile.

       Or if you had a good time at the beach last summer with your best friend, a tiny bottle filled with sand and a photo of the two of you under a beach umbrella will bring all those happy feelings back.

        How about giving someone a little box with slips of paper inside, each slip telling them a reason why you love them? That's fun and easy! And if you take time to write a poem to someone that you love --- don't be surprised if they treasure it for years.

       Bye for now - and Happy Valentine's Day!