Through the years, Valentine’s Day has come to be observed as a sweet holiday (pun intended). Ultimately, it’s a day of connecting with others and making them feel special and appreciated.
At schools, Valentine’s Day is a day of fun and includes kids eager to hand their valentines out to their classroom peers—it’s a day of social interactions. But, for some kids, social connection can be very difficult, sometimes leading to feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Mary Plummer Lerley knows this firsthand. She has three children, Emma, 11, Tyler, 13, and Leo, 15. Tyler has autism.
Lerley, a local artisan soap maker, recently closed her business to focus her attention on the needs of her family. With some of her creative, leftover inventory—especially her soap cupcakes—she and Tyler decided to spread some Valentine’s Day cheer to others.
Tyler recently began homeschooling. Instead of wondering if anyone would think to send Valentine’s Day cards to him, he and his mother decided to become “extreme givers” of their own Valentine’s treats this year.
Photo Credit: Mary LerleyTyler Morey, age 13, shows one of his Valentine’s Day creations, a soap cupcake, that was delivered to a community member.
The first 35 people nominated received their special Valentine via delivery by Lerley and Tyler on February 13 or 14.
“Even though Tyler doesn’t display his wants and needs for social connection, he wants it. He wants friends,” Lerley said.
It’s bigger than that, however. “Gorham is our community, and we want to build a community that knows Tyler is here,” Lerley added. It’s what all parents who have loved ones with disabilities want—for those loved ones to be seen, accepted, and appreciated.
If you’d like to send Tyler a valentine or note, he would be excited to receive one in the mail. Please send it to Tyler Morey, 3 Shaws Mill Road, Gorham.