February 14th

Valentine's day has never been a favorite of mine. This year, John was supposed to be gone all day with various events that he could not avoid. The morning was scheduled for a merit badge clinic, then work, then a couple hours off and then back to work. MF and I decided to join him for work since it was supposed to be done relatively quickly and we could possibly go do something else. It ended up taking from about 1pm until 8pm. So frustrating but couldn't be helped. By the time we had waited around for a couple of hours it was too late to go home and just come back when he was done to get him. At least we spent it together...
When I was young, I watched my dad do all kinds of things for my mom for V-day and usually my parents got us each a card and a treat that we would find that morning at breakfast. As I grew older, I noticed the only Valentines I received were from my parents. This isn't a sob story...its just how it was and I remember 6th grade was particularly hard since I had taken one for every kid in my class at school and received not one. I think I remember my parents taking me out to dinner that night to sooth my broken heart. After that, I just figured when I finally had a sweetheart that they would do something for me. I loved giving Valentines to friends and just waited for a time when it would be a special day with a special someone.
Well, turns out that the first Valentine's Day I had with a sweetheart was 6 months after John and I were married. I got him a cute box and filled it with all his favorite goodies along with a movie he'd been eyeing for a while and waited with anticipation to give them to him.
The day came and I surprised him with his treats and waited all day for a surprise from him. Nothing. Each year...nothing...usually. Two years ago, MF and I flew to visit family on Valentine's Day and within an hour of getting there the UPS guy delivered tulips for me. I love tulips and was even more surprised to see they were from John. I still remember them...I took pictures. I LOVED them!
I know I didn't marry a romantic and that's just fine. And its not fair for me to expect him to be. Once in a while he'll surprise me with a treat or even flowers on just some odd day, whenever he gets a whim. I love it when I come home from a long day of running around or a evening event and the dishes are done or the floor is cleaned or some such thing.
So Valentine's day is just another day for me although I try to make it special for Miss Fabulous and give her a treat and a card. We all still get a card and a treat from my parents every year and I plan to keep it going with my family. So happy Valentine's day, or February 14th...whichever it is to you!