CARRIE KARNES-FANNIN
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Baby's First Valentine

2/12/2023

15 Comments

 
Picture
Just in time for Valentines!

​Once again, one of Susannah Hill's fun holiday-themed contests is getting the kidlit community's creative juices flowing. Between now and February 14th, enter a 214-word max story for the chance to win one of many fabulous prizes. [Check it all out here.]

The gist of the rules is that it must be 1) Kid appropriate, 2) Valentine themed, 3) incorporate this year's prompt/concept, which is skepticism, 4) and be a real story, with a beginning, middle, end.

I don't know how well I did with the story arc aspect.  But even so, I had fun with this little piece, which is a love letter to newer parents everywhere.

What do you think? Drop a note and let me know in the comments if you relate to this one.

Thanks for reading!
Baby's First Valentine​
by
Carrie Karnes-Fannin
PictureDescription: Toddler in yellow dress is being chased by toddler in dinosaur onesie, against a pink background. Heart confetti floats down all around them. (Illus. composed by me with Canva.)
You
might not believe this
​right now...
 
You
might not feel it,
with my small, sticky hand flung
across your face, with just one hour left
to sleep.
 
You
might be pressed
to imagine this as you discover the two bites
I took from the very last piece
of double-chocolate
pie.
 
You
might not see it,
while you scrub those knee-high crayon marks 
from the bathroom wall.
 
You
might not believe this
right now,
but...

...I love you.

15 Comments
Deanne Wallace
2/12/2023 09:35:58 am

I adore this story. It evoked fond feelings about when I was my babies’ first Valentine.

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
2/12/2023 10:35:18 am

Awww, thanks Deanne.

Reply
Elizabeth Volkmann
2/12/2023 10:11:18 am

Carrie,
I love the refrain, "You might not ..." - it is a wonderful way to build anticipation. And the landing - such a sweet, soft landing! The added illustration is scrumptious! Really delightful!
Good luck with this!

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
2/12/2023 10:34:57 am

Thank you, Beth! I always appreciate your support.

Reply
Christine Alemshah link
2/12/2023 10:13:12 am

Aww! Beautiful job, Carrie! I remember that stage all too well, and you captured it in a lovely way.

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
2/12/2023 10:36:37 am

Thank you, Christine! It's hard to believe when you're so tired and sleep deprived that you're practically staggering that someday these will be the best memories. I'm glad you liked it!

Reply
Marjory
2/12/2023 10:43:47 am

The small, sticky hand! 😭 I can feel it!

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
2/12/2023 10:45:40 am

I know, right?!? Every parent has probably woken up to that at least once.

Reply
Kirsten Pendreigh link
2/12/2023 11:01:51 am

AWWWWW!! I believe it.

Reply
Elisa Boxer link
2/12/2023 03:25:15 pm

Just gorgeous, Carrie. You're SO good at evoking powerful emotions with an economy of words. And it's so true, everything you're conveying here, as I feel the ache of my only child away at college and I think back on those precious early days...

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
2/12/2023 03:42:13 pm

Thank you so much, Elisa! They grow up far too fast.

Reply
Tonnye Fletcher link
2/12/2023 09:22:51 pm

Really lovely, Carrie!

Reply
Catrine Kyster
2/13/2023 02:33:28 pm

It's so sweet!!!

Reply
Steena Hernandez
2/13/2023 06:40:54 pm

I adore this, and the sweet illustration too! Great job, Carrie!

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin link
2/14/2023 07:39:37 am

Thank you, Steena! I'm glad you like it.

Reply



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