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FAACT Believes in Love without Limits

February 1, 2021  |  Advocacy, Allergies, Allergy, Allergy-Awareness, Anaphylaxis, Awareness, Blog, Camp, Camp-TAG, CampTAG, Caregivers, Children, COVID-19, COVID19, Education, Elementary, Epinephrine, FAACT, FAACTs-TEAL-Heart, Family, Food, Food-Allergies, Food-Allergy, Food-allergy-blog, Friendship, Grandparent, Heart, Holiday, Holiday-Tips, Know-The-FAACTs, Label, Medication, Parent, Pinterest, Readlabels, Recipes, School, Summer-Camp, Support, Teal, Teal-Love, Valentines-Day
Valentine

by Caroline Moassessi, FAACT Vice-President of Community Relations

Love: four simple letters translate in the one thing humans give, receive, and spread to their communities. Within our own FAACT community, we express our love and support of one another through our advocacy, support groups, and camaraderie during Camp TAG, Teen Retreat, or one of our many conferences. As adults, parents, caregivers, and friends of those living with food allergies, we share our love through our actions and words. We learn to read labels, find safe restaurants and advocate for food allergy policy, awareness, and laws. We work hard to be inclusive through our passion.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us to think outside of the box this year, yet, we remain focused on our families and community with never-ending unconditional love. Whether you are making homemade Valentine’s Day cards, decorating your home, or dishing up a romantic dinner, we are here for you with a few ideas for a love-packed Valentine’s Day.

Let’s explore ways to show your Teal Love passion.

Long-distance:     

  • Pick up the phone, and call just to say you love them.
  • Schedule a zoom or facetime cup of tea and dessert together, wear your fanciest clothes.
  • Email the link to a song that reminds you of your special loved one.

Short distance:

  • Paint a rock with teal hearts or a sweet message and leave it on a doorstep of a friend, neighbor, or stranger.
  • Drop off allergen-safe treats, being sure to include an ingredient list or label.
  • Bundle up and arrange for a socially-distanced snack or hot chocolate picnic.

Children:

  • Cut out hearts from sheet paper or used paper bags and write one word on each that describes one thing you love the most about your child.
  • Cut cucumber hearts using small heart-shaped cookie cutters.
  • Visit FAACT’s Pinterest Valentine’s Day Page for affordable and fun crafts ideas.

Family and Friends Members:

  • Sing a happy song. Either record a video or knock on their door, step back 12 feet, and sing a song while wearing your masks.
  • Grab a paring knife and carve roses out of strawberries.
  • Serve heart-shaped pancakes for dinner.

Community Love:

  • Create a food allergy resource list for your favorite school nurse.
  • Reach out to your local TV and radio stations to share your top three tips for staying food allergy-safe during Valentine’s Day and include food allergy basics and resources.
  • Post links to your favorite food allergen-safe recipes on social media.

Though we may be separated as we all work together to slow the spread of COVID-19, our love has no boundaries. Your heartfelt feelings and actions, no matter the size, can be felt around the world or down the street. To quote Winnie the Pooh, “(S)ometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” May your heart be filled with small things from those who love you the most and from your FAACT Family, who loves you, too.