FINE ART FRIDAY
I pulled my hand 🤚 (like a shade) over my eyes — I could feel the heat rising up through my face as I began to look less like me and more like Rudolph caught in a snowstorm; absolutely mortified that this was happening to me. I slunk down in my chair, hiding as much of me as I could.
After the initial shock wore off that this GIANT SEAL was in fact for me, I’d like to say I could think more clearly; but I could not.
Oh, did I forget to mention that? I was mortified because I’m 8 years old, and a boy I thought was just my good friend brought me a BIG GINORMOUS GIANT SEAL STUFFED ANIMAL for Valentine’s Day. On top of my desk. So everyone could see.
(Side note here that I couldn’t fit it in my backpack so it sat under my desk all day. All dang day. For everyone to see. Was this real life? Unfortunately for me, yes, yes it was.)
If you were wanting to be my boy-friend as an 8 year old (was that even a thing?), dude, this was NOT the way to get my attention.
Was this even real life? I mean truly, who gets someone a nearly life size white seal stuffed toy for Valentine’s Day?
Scratch that. What little boy gets a life size seal for an 8 year old girl who was viciously afraid of confrontation and being seen and noticed…
Okay not even that — what PARENT says that’s a good idea?
I can only imagine the conversation that took place when planning this gift—
A stuffed seal? Aw she’s going to love that honey! She must love the ocean or animals that live in cold places!
(spoiler alert: she didn't.)
…But you know what, I think the little handheld seal isn’t enough. Let’s go bigger.
The teddy bear size stuffed seal?
Bigger.
Like a cereal box sized?
BIGGER.
You mean … LIFE SIZED?!
Yup. Go big or go home.
Home.
Oh my gosh.
Y’all — I had to take this thing HOME. I had to carry it with my own little eight year old arms and my own eight year old legs — this white stuffed seal that was literally as big as I was. For reference, I also walked home, which meant I had to mentally prepare to not only walk it home and carry it the whole way step by step, but to answer questions about this huge ridiculous stuffed animal I’d gotten for Valentine’s Day.
From a boy. Who I thought was just my friend. And instead he embarrassed me.
I was beyond mortified.
When I got home, my mom told me it’s because he had a crush on me.
More like crushed my little eight year old spirit.
But really? Come on dude. Seal boy did NOT know his audience.
If he had paused for just a second, he would’ve realized that I would not in fact want a large stuffed animal. Maybe a nice note, maybe a small palm sized stuffed animal. Maybe a keychain? I was 8, after all.
Something I could stick in my backpack and pretend didn’t actually exist. Yes.
But a giant stuffed seal? NOT MY THING.
It scarred me with Valentine’s Day for years.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tina's
A Valentine Idea
Permission to Change Perspective
GET YOUR VALENTINE ART THIS YEAR
But you know what? Even in my deepest embarrassment this was a once in a life time experience.
Much like this one that is happening at the newest (coolest) bar in Tulsa on Valentine’s Day — Tina’s.
Hosting a special Valentina’s dinner — complete with a yummy dinner and excellent drinks (obviously), flowers from Ever Something, and yours truly painting live — super unique pieces channeling an Italy vibe and a night you don’t want to miss.
If you’re in Tulsa, sign up here.
Not local? Shoot me an email or click here and I can make YOU one of these pieces like I'm doing for Valentina's.
Enjoy your week or so before Valentine’s Day — or if you’re like me in from elementary to college, the week before the holiday made by the gift card industry because I was scarred by getting an embarrassingly humongous giant white seal stuffed animal by a boy who didn’t think twice about it…
Come to think of it, Valentine's day isn't so bad as long as you're not getting an XXXXXL stuffed seal. Unless you're into that sort of thing…
Permission to change perspective >> granted.
A note to you reading: this Valentine’s Day know your audience.
Don’t be like SEAL BOY. And if your audience loves art, intimate moments, and a night inspired by Italy, this special night at Tina’s is one you won’t want to miss. 💕
Hopefully you’re able to stay warm, enjoy a little rest, and do something fun.
Love you so much and chat so soon!
xo, courtney
PS Do you have any Valentine's day hit or misses to share?? Hit reply and let me know!
DOG-EARED BY COURTNEY KIBBY
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