Glitter, glue and construction paper create magnificent works of art in the hands of little ones. What self-respecting grandmother or mom could fail to cherish a special homemade valentine? Of all the gifts I’ve received through the years, those that chubby child fingers have helped to create are among my favorites.

This year I plan to return the favor and help Gauge, that precocious grandson of mine, create a keepsake for his mom. Cherrie is truly a talented artist, so I will have to work hard to help Gauge create anything coming close to the beautiful and special things they make for me.

Gauge is 4 years old and experiencing his first crush. Preschool has apparently taught him more than his ABCs. The conversation at our play date last week makes me chuckle every time I think of it.

Twinkling, wide-eyed baby blues locked onto mine with such intensity I had to wonder what was going on in the head behind them. I didn’t wonder long when Gauge gushed, “Gigi, I’ve got a valentine!”

“Oh, really! Who is she, Gauge?”

“Her name is Savannah, and she is in my class at school. I’ve got her a lot of presents!”

“Gauge, why is Savannah your valentine?”

Bashfully he tucked his head. After a brief pause Gauge peeped up at me through his long lashes. “Well, she’s kind of pretty,” was his sheepish response.

Struggling to control my laughter, I commented, “That’s great Gauge, but what about Gigi? Can I be your valentine, too?” I quickly came to realize the serious nature of his feelings for Savannah when Gauge gently but firmly let me down.

“Gigi, you can only have one valentine at a time. You can be my valentine next year,” said my grandson, the diplomat.

Gauge is smitten for sure. We continued our talk of Valentine’s Day and the cards he had signed for his classmates with Savannah’s name cropping up in the conversation more than once. Lucky girl, that Savannah, whether she knows it or not. Love is a beautiful thing.

With all this talk of Valentine’s Day and childhood crushes, I am reminded that real love is so much more than the quickly beating heart of physical attraction. The most beautiful description of love I have found comes from the pen of the Apostle Paul. Most scholars believe Corinthians was written about 55 years after the death of Christ.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (New International Version), I Corinthians 13: 4-8

Jan Penton Miller can be reached at lilsisjan@yahoo.com.