Note: Yes, these are real Valentines. I own them all in a sealed box that my Mom bought for me a few years back (I's a collector I yam.).
1:
"Hey lookit lookit lookit!" Jessie cried on that sunny, but still cold, February morning. She raced to her two friends who were by the nightstand. In her hands was a card.
She held it out for Woody and Buzz to see. On it was a picture of a clownfish and a freckled blue tang. "'I'd be a fish out of water if you weren't my friend!'" Woody read. "'Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Bo.'"
Jessie hugged the card like a teddy bear. "Isn't that sweet? I've never gotten a Valentine's Day card before!" She paused. "This doesn't mean she's got a crush on me, does it?"
"No!" Woody rolled his eyes. "Bo always hands out Valentine's Day cards to her friends! She gets last year's extras out of the box Mom bought for Andy to give to his class."
"But it's a day early."
"She gives her friendship ones on the thirteenth because…" Woody stopped as his cheeks colored. "Well, the fourteenth is for lovers."
Jessie grinned amused. "Oh, I get it! Got something special planned, eh?" She elbowed the Cowboy mischievously. "Eh? Eh? Eh?"
"That's enough!" Woody said annoyed.
"Hey Woody! Buzz!" Screeched an excited voice. Rex was holding a card too as he clomped over. "Oh, hi Jessie."
"Howdy Dino-Dude!"
Rex showed his card. It had a smiling rat on it giving the ok sign. "'Voila! Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Bo.'"
The other toys joined them to show off their Valentines. Woody smiled as he read them all. "I think its right sweet of Bo to give out cards to everybody!" Jessie said gleefully, still hugging her card.
"Yeah, she is pretty special," Woody agreed fondly as he looked at Slinky's card.
Potato Head pushed his way to the front of the group. "Hey, she never gives me a valentine!" He protested. "She always gives one to the Mrs. but never to me!"
"You threw my boyfriend off a truck." Bo called from not too far away. "You don't get a valentine."
Potato Head scowled. "She's never going to get over that is she?"
Woody shrugged. "Probably not."
With happy smiles the toys went to thank Bo for their cards, leaving Woody and Buzz behind. "She give you one?" Woody asked.
"Of course." Buzz produced his Valentine. The picture was of a red race car next to the words, "Speedin' your way on Valentine's Day!"
"You know," said Buzz. "I really like those tires."
Woody wasn't paying attention as he stared at the Valentine. "I just wish I could get something really special for her, you know?" He said in a low voice so Bo couldn't hear. She was patting Slinky affectionately on the head.
"Well aren't there still leftover Valentines in the box?"
"I mean really special," answered Woody. "We make each other's cards every year, but I just want to do more. Besides I already made her a card." Making sure Bo was still distracted (She was currently being given a tight hug by Jessie, who in her excitement had lifted her off the ground), Woody motioned for Buzz to follow him to the bed. Bending down, he lifted the cover and reached underneath. He pulled out a pink construction paper square and gave it to his best friend.
Buzz studied it. It had dried macaroni noodles glued in the shape of a heart. There were little heart and cupid stickers on it and Woody had attempted to paste glitter all over. "It's nice…" Buzz said slowly.
"It's a piece of junk!" Woody snapped as he snatched the card away. "I can't give this to her!" He grumbled, "Last time I attempt to make a Valentine from a book called 'Krazy Krafts for Kids.'"
Buzz shrugged. "You know Bo will still like it."
"But she deserves better!" Woody stopped and sighed. "What can you get the love of your life when you don't have any money, or even a way to get to a store?"
Buzz was deep in thought. He suddenly smiled. "Hey! This is my first Valentine's Day with Jessie! I can make her something too!"
"Good luck. Just stay away from the craft book."
Buzz rubbed his hands. "Don't you worry, I've already got some ideas!"
As Woody watched him run off, he looked down at the cruddy Valentine. No, he thought. No, this year's gotta be different! This year I'm going to give her the best present ever!
