In what her office called “The first lady’s surprise Valentine messages to the country, Valentine’s Day candies with messages of love and healing were installed overnight, surprising the President.
“I just wanted some joy,” she told a reporter. “With the pandemic, just, everybody’s feeling a little down. So, it’s just a little joy. A little hope. That’s all.”
Yard Snobbery at Slate
On Slate, Heather Schwedel starts with acknowledging that she shouldn’t criticize this temporary display by Biden because she’s such an improvement over her predecessor. But then this: “And yet criticize I will.” You know, coz it’s that important.
Giant lawn signs in general seem like an odd choice for a place like the White House, but these in particular looked like they’d been built by a middle school stage crew. If they’re supposed to evoke candy hearts—I think they are?—well … there’s room for improvement.
Complains about the choice of words on the signs
Since when has Valentine’s Day been about unity?
Fears more low-class moves to come
I guess I was expecting something a bit more elegant. If these hearts are a harbinger of what’s to come, I am not optimistic.
There’s more – why all her friends seem to disagree with her (good to know) and criticizes sexist expectations on the First Lady that don’t apply to the Second Gentleman.
I say hold the hysteria and the quick judgments, just four weeks in.
Actually, today I hope to channel my inner Jill Biden and get in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, seen through her eyes.
Oh PUKE….. less of you Biden’s the BETTER
Please go away. Betting you’re a bot. Your nastiness is not welcome here.
Thanks so much for your attention to correct punctuation, BagLady.
It will take awhile for all the negativity to go away in this country. Go Jill!
I think its sweet – not much else that can be done in our current crumby climate and candy hearts are my favorite Valentine candy treat.
It lifted my heart and made me happy! Such a teacher thing to do
A friend of mine posted on FB when she saw the hearts, “you can take the teacher out of the classroom but you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher”. I think it’s so true! I love what she did, it was real, not “reality tv” fake. I’d prefer corny over nasty any day.
Agree 110% with Ceci and Sur Land and thx to Susan H for posting this lovely story. What a welcome change from her illegal immigrant predecessor, destroyer of our beloved and historic WH Rose Garden.
Brava, Dr. Jill Biden!
I think it is the nice, innocent touch this grumpy, depressed country needs.
Love it – hoping for humongous hamentaschen on Purim and giant Peeps come Easter.
Poor Heather. Couldn’t come up with enough column inches so this is what Slate got. And they ran it cause apparently they couldn’t come up with enough column inches either. One of those weeks, Slate?
So good to see something pleasant and gently uplifting coming from the white house. Maybe not the top in design,but the sentiment is spot on
I really can’t imagine that being critical of this display is a worthwhile activity. People like that would complain that a beautiful blue sky has a few clouds in it.
Every time I mention the Biden White House we receive at least one email of complaint. About this post we heard from a Betty Jenkins, who wrote: “Please refrain from political remarks. I’m out of here.”
Everything’s political to someone, I guess, but I’ll just keep covering news of the White House gardens and grounds, like I did during the Obama years with no complaint that I can recall. Like I did last summer when I defended the re-do of the Rose Garden unveiled by Melania. But it’s the times we live in.
I’ve had enough. Please remove from your mailing list.
The “unsubscribe” button is right there in every email you’ve been receiving.
Despite these regular threats about quitting, our subscriber list has grown over the last year.
Thanks for posting- I agree, it’s sweet. Apparently, some people live for negativity.
I love that you wrote about Jill Biden’s Valentine’s Day display. Yes, it’s a teacher thing to do, and a lovey sentiment. Ignore the haters. As they say “haters gonna hate”.
I love it, simple and charming, and yes I’m sure they’re the tiny candy hearts we all remember. ♥️
Breath of fresh air, positive, out-reaching, joyful, and even a teaching moment: there is room for fun and positivity amid the world’s crushing negatives. The very opposite of the “I don’t care, do you?” coat. Looking forward to seeing the White House garden this summer.
Me, too, but summer is doubtful – WH garden tours are traditionally in May and October. I’m hopeful for October of this year.
Lighten up, Heather. We needed the kitsch. Thank you to a genuine First Lady.
Ooh I would love to see a giant Peeps display somewhere.
OMG yes! That’ll really piss of the snobs at slate.
I would take cheap candy heart signs with uplifting messages over my neighbor’s outdated political signs any day. And clearly she didn’t spend a gob of money on them, so that’s refreshing!
So refreshing! Lovely to see kind and cheerful sentiments. Please, Susan, keep showing us that gardens can be fun.
Well, I wouldn’t say it’s to my taste, exactly, but good grief, is your nation so devoid of problems that people need to carp and criticize temporary lawn decorations?
It’s cute. It’s wholesome. I’ll take corny over criminal any day.
The cost of this display was probably rather trivial so although its not the most elegant it is much more appropriate for a time like this