If a simple project added giggles and smiles to someone else’s life, would you participate? Would your child add one more name to their list of Valentine recipients? Do you know of a classroom that would delight in supporting a couple with mental challenges who love to receive mail?

Nick and Lindsey initially wanted to marry on February 14^th(please click here for their love story),but they couldn’t wait one-hundred and twenty-three days to walk down the aisle. Instead, this thirty-something couple will celebrate their four-month anniversary on Valentine’s Day.

Nick has Dubowitz syndrome. Lindsey has intellectual challenges from an unidentifiable syndrome. He drives a car; she works part-time. She inherited the clean gene; he inherited the “good sense of humor” gene. They complete each other, which is good since they struggle with building friendships with peers. Other than family, their world remains rather small.

Sometimes though, when they venture out of Silverton and walk through Walmart, people stare. They stare at Nick’s head, at Lindsey’s tremors, her uneven gait. On occasion, the couple is teased or a cocky young man mutters derogatory comments under his breath.  I tell them to ignore the stares, but I don’t have words for those who are unkind or cruel. I tell them lots of people are inspired by their independence–inspired that a special young man and a special young woman found his/her partner in life. I tell them that they are loved and supported by a huge village. One bigger than they can imagine.

For sixteen years Lindsey has given to Children International (click here for story), sponsoring three little girls from the Philippines. She asked for nothing in return, but her favorite part of adopting these kids: receiving handwritten letters and photos in the mail.

So in honor of Valentine’s Day, and Nick and Lindsey’s four-month anniversary, we’ve started a campaign to send the newlyweds valentines, hopefully from all over the world–to show them that goodness overrules nastiness; that there are people who believe in them and will send juvenile, cut-out Valentine’s with animated kitties or puppies or cartoon characters (perfect for this couple) or a homemade heart with a personal greeting. If you’d like to participate and make this Valentine’s Day extra special for two “special” people, please send your Valentine to:

The newlyweds love to receive regular, old-fashioned mail, but as time ticks by, your Valentine wishes may not arrive in time. (We will pick up mail for the next 30 days–so don’t worry if they are a little late.) One of my favorite fellow bloggers, Ellen Seidman of Love That Max, suggested creating a special email account–just for the newlyweds. So if you prefer to send a greeting via email, please send it to: ValentinesforLindseyandNick@OutOneEar.com. And a quick shout out and thank you to Love That Max for the great suggestion!

Thanks Allison Slater Tater for retweeting this post!

Special project for a special couple:@outoneear‘s campaign for Valentines for special needs honeymooners who love mail:outoneear.com/valentines-for…

— Allison Slater Tate (@AllisonState) February 4, 2013

My first book, Loving Lindsey: Raising a Daughter with Special Needs was released in September 2017. If you would like to learn more, click here.

Tags: Intellectual Challenges Special Needs Special Needs Who Marry Valentine Project Valentine's For Special Needs Valentines For Couples