I’ll confess.
With Valentine’s Day coming up tomorrow, my thoughts keep traveling to my first Valentine: Almanzo James Wilder.
Almanzo was my celebrity crush. In the days when all the other girls in junior high school were swooning over Kirk Cameron or Michael J. Fox, ’twas Almanzo’s name I wrote in my school notebooks surrounded by swirls and hearts.
I have to admit I haven’t lost that childhood crush even yet. Think about it.
He’s daring and courageous — and the town hero. So maybe he wasn’t tall, but he’s got dark and handsome down. At the same time, he’s loyal and committed, caring and protective. He knows more than any other man in town about how to do just about anything, he’s hardworking, his sense of humor and his wit are phenomenal, and he’s just all around awesome.
The character of Almanzo in the Little House books is one all young men should aspire to be like — an admirable role model for boys. It’s a shame so many people peg the series as books for girls.
It’s time Almanzo got his due. As we celebrate his birthday today, won’t you share your favorite thing about Almanzo? Favorite scene… favorite story… favorite character or personality trait… whatever comes to mind.
Happy birthday, Almanzo… be my Valentine.