Heart Shaped Box of Chocolates

(My fireplace mantel right now)

In my house growing up, See's Candy was the preferred chocolate brand and it was not uncommon to receive a box of See's candy as a gift on a holiday or even for no specific reason.  We received them from our parents, as children we would sometimes go and buy a box for our parents or siblings and my aunts would send them to my mom.  I can't think of a box of chocolates without thinking of Sees Candy.

Last year, on a whim, I sent my mom a heart-shaped box of chocolates from Sees.  A few days later, I got a call from her.  She was thrilled with them and I learned something I did not know.  Ever since she was a little girl, she had wanted a heart-shaped box of chocolates.  She thought they were so fancy and fun.  She never really expressed this to anyone, including my father.  Over the years, my father acknowledged my mother on Valentine's Day with flowers, cards, gifts and sometimes, even with a rectangular box of See's Candy but never with a heart-shaped box.  

So, last year, at the age of 72, my mom received her first heart-shaped box of chocolates from me her 37 year old daughter.

This year, my mom returned the favor and the above pictured heart-shaped box of chocolates arrived addressed to me from my mother.  I have a feeling a new tradition is starting between my mother and me.  Happy Valentines Day.