When Valentine’s Day comes around in elementary school, I feel as though kids are genuinely excited to give and receive gifts. They go to the store with their parents, pick out small cards for each of their classmates, and stick a bag of candy to it.

I remember when I was in elementary school my class would throw a party on Valentine’s Day. The teacher allowed us to bring candy, cupcakes, gifts and anything else we would like to give out to our classmates. We were allowed to bring in a paper lunch bag and decorate it with hearts or whatever we wanted on it. This was used to collect all of our cards and candy that we got from our peers.

In the third grade, I remember I wanted to be the kid with the coolest Valentine’s Day cards and gifts. So my mom and I went out and bought “Lizzie McGuire” and Aaron Carter cards, the night before. At that time, “Lizzie McGuire” and Aaron Carter gave every kid between the ages of eight and 13, so much life! I went to school the next day, walking through the classroom door like I was the coolest kid in the class and handed out my Valentine’s Day cards with little bags of candy. Everyone in my class loved them … and me. Well, I would like to think that.

Disney Channel's Hillary Duff as "Lizzie McGuire."

Aaron Carter-Come Get It (2000)

Children value the true meaning of Valentine’s Day they aren’t concerned with who has a valentine, who’s wearing what outfit, or who’s doing what on Valentine’s Day. Kids are mostly thinking about the amount of love they are receiving from their peers and family. It brings them so much joy, when they see who has dropped a card or a piece of candy into their "goodie bags."