Happy Hearts

I remember (it doesn't seem like that long ago) when not having a boyfriend on Valentine's was devastating. Or having a boyfriend....and spending the week anticipating what he would do for me, or what he might give me. Even better...in Elementary School when the message on the conversation hearts was taken as a boys direct feelings for you. Ohhhhhhh so sweeeet!

I remember what I wore on Valentine's Day or on my Valentine's date was crucial. I remember wanting particular young men to magically fall in love with me on Valentine's and profess that secretly...they had always loved me.

Somewhere over the late teenage years...my heart grew some tougher skin. I was not a fan of the cheesy, sappy love notes and meaningful song dedications.

I also am not a fan of flowers...they just die and get thrown away, waste of money. I'm not a fan of jewelry either, money wasted on something to sit on my dresser. Which just leaves me with chocolate. Well...ummmm...chocolate and I have developed a love-hate relationship...so now I can't eat a box without feeling guilty. Some might call it low maintenance...but in reality, I'm a party pooper!

Having been married a while, Valentine's has somewhat lost it's 'ummph' in more recent years. We've been good at celebrating our Anniversary, but Valentine's has never been a big deal around these parts.

I must admit that it is my fault. When we were first married...I remember cooking fancy dinners and experimenting with recipes and ingredients I had never used. I loved the challenge of creating something new, that maybe neither of us had tried. I guess we are now either too spoiled, or too old! I'm not sure there's anything we haven't eaten...(obviously)...and I'm not going to attempt to duplicate some of the authentic food we've had in restaurants. Not to mention...I've come to a place in my life where not having to cook or do the dishes is extremely romantic.

Wow! Now I would love to wear sweats, sleep in, take a long shower...alone...and not be bothered for an entire day. Lucky Mike?!...how pathetic!

Which is why I was so surprised this year when...

Mike had 3 dozen amazing roses delivered to me on Thursday...that's 36 red roses. 36! He also gave each of the girls a rose. My sweet hubby has planned a surprise this year for Valentine's. I will admit that I am shocked! I can't remember the last time he planned a date night, let alone a Holiday! He been good at keeping it a secret (because I don't like secrets) and I have tried to not bug him about it.

On Friday morning...the girls found Valentine's in the mailbox from their cousins. They were the cutest cards about "Roses are red, moldy bread is blue....Roses are red, old cheese is blue" and cute things like that. They were so happy and excited. It was too late to send Valentine's back, so we wrote thank-you's.

I made some homemade chocolates and took them to Mike's work yesterday, he was quite surprised himself! We also gave the girls little presents that morning, and I sent heart-shaped sandwiches and cards in their lunches. The girls came home from school and devoured the rest of the homemade chocolates.

Maybe we are setting ourselves up for major disappointment next year...but I will admit that it has been a fun week.

But, with all the novelties aside...I really am in a happy place. I think a lot of my expectations regarding love and affection have been replaced with things like commitment and trust. I don't worry that I am not loved, and I am very happy with my life and my family. I feel so blessed to spend my life with my best friend. I love each of my sweet girls and they have so much love for each other. I realize that my life could have played out much different, I could have none of those things. So, I must express my love for my family this February 14th. I am grateful for all that I've been given.

I will enjoy my sappy-lovey-dovey holiday this year...after all, I told Mike that it won't be long until romantic surprises may be defined as a unexpected prescription for Viagra. (hee, hee)