When I was little and my mom moved a thousand miles away I made a
wooden heart for her with the words "I Love You" painted in red in my
best cursive hand. Years later I learned that not only had she kept the
heart, but she had also given it a whole new, active purpose. She
married the man of her dreams (whom I adore) and left it in his sock
drawer one morning. A few days later, she found it in her bathroom
cupboard. The exchange began.
One afternoon close to quitting time
she stopped by his office on her way to the grocery store to say hi.
Before she left the parking lot, she slipped the heart onto the front
seat of his car. When she came out of the grocery store some time
later, there was the heart, sitting on HER front seat. Days, weeks,
months sometimes go by before the heart is found, but it is always then
tucked where the other will find it again too. And when it is found,
the rush of love and appreciation fills the finder that the hider had
intended to convey. The sentiment grows with each exchange.
Imagine
a world filled with hearts exchanged....the random smiles that would
fill all-but-empty houses, lunchboxes, parking lots, offices...would
you care to join me?
Hearts can be found here....
What a beautiful and heartfelt story I just love it
Jen
Posted by: Jen crossley | February 03, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Yes! It is a wonderful story, and a cool idea.
-Jane
Posted by: Jane | February 03, 2009 at 02:29 PM
I've done that before but it was with a little plastic monster. Much better if we were using a pretty heart-- not nearly as scary when you find it in an unexpected place. : )
That's a great story thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kerin | February 03, 2009 at 03:08 PM
What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: kathymcelroy | February 03, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Sweet!
Posted by: Tami Roth | February 03, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Beautiful and heart warming story, and the best part about it is that it is factual, not something dreamed up in a fictional world. xo
Posted by: ceanandjen | February 03, 2009 at 06:42 PM
just love this story...
beautiful.
beautiful.
xoxo
Posted by: liz elayne | February 03, 2009 at 07:04 PM
These are so precious, as is your story. I have goosebumps and tears . . . and a few hearts to leave here and there.
Posted by: Leslie M. | February 03, 2009 at 07:09 PM
I just love stories like this! your hearts are wonderful!
Posted by: connie freedman | February 03, 2009 at 08:26 PM
you, evidently need to make more hearts, my dear...
there looks to be a major lovefest underway
(or so says your etsy shop)!
Posted by: Erin Gergen Halls | February 04, 2009 at 05:56 AM
ahhhh, such a lovely story, beautiful stephanie, just like the storyteller...
xoxo
Posted by: katie | February 04, 2009 at 03:44 PM
it really is such a beautiful story! i love it and the hearts!
xo
Posted by: misty | February 04, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Beautiful, beautiful story. A world exchanging love instead of the opposite is a dream worth sharing - thank you for doing that!
Posted by: Sunrise Sister | February 04, 2009 at 05:43 PM
oh my goodness, stephanie, thanks for sharing with all of us. that is just too........! now wait just a doggone minute, did you have hearts on etsy? what did they look like? what? love, wanda
Posted by: wanda miller | February 04, 2009 at 10:18 PM
what an incredible story. thanks for sharing. those hearts flew out of your shop and into the world. are there more coming??
xoxo
Posted by: john | February 05, 2009 at 04:57 AM
This is such a sweet and beautiful story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. It makes my heart swell with possibilities of love and connection.
Posted by: Kim Fyler | February 06, 2009 at 02:08 AM
Can you get a picture of your original heart you made? Would love to see it:) These are wonderful ! Thanks for sharing your story:)
Lydia
Posted by: Lydia | February 08, 2009 at 07:31 PM
I made my way here from a recommendation from Corrine (from New Zealand) in a comment on one of my recent posts ... she thought I would like to read the story & she was absolutely correct. :)
please excuse me while I spend a little time checking out your hearts and other fine offering.
cheers, ~M~
Posted by: 3rdEyeMuse | February 09, 2009 at 09:08 AM
I love that story and idea! What a wonderful thing to do.
Posted by: maggie | February 09, 2009 at 11:30 AM
what a love story...happy valentines day my friend...hugs, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | February 15, 2009 at 05:05 AM
What a beautiful love story - romantic in every way - i am envious of this sort of love in a partner.
thank you for sharing
Posted by: vicki grobels | February 15, 2009 at 05:42 PM
My husband used to write up a little loveletter on Post-Its every morning and put it in with my lunch-- but I could never wait until lunch to read it! People sometimes make a little fun of us because we're so 'lovely-dovey' after 8 years of marriage. I just smile and think they don't understand! This is a tradition that just got adopted by our family! By the way-- love your book, I use it constantly for inspiration!
Posted by: Christine Damm | February 17, 2009 at 06:56 AM
Over from Diane's ... I have a thing for hearts ... and your mother's and her husband's exchange reminds me of the little animals my husband I used to hide with a note for the other .. I must look for them and start anew because you're right, its a wonderful feeling.
Posted by: Daryl | October 28, 2010 at 12:56 PM