Valentine Memories

I'm finally back from Florida. Of course while I was gone, many of you presented me with awards, I feel like I don't even know which ones I've received! It's been hard to keep up with everything having no internet access for nearly three weeks. I've missed all of you guys! Not being able to blog was killing me. Ha ha!

Today is/was Valentines Day as I'm sure you've figured out by now. My husband always gets me a cute card and beautiful bouquet, though I always tell him that our local A&P does a great job for a fraction of the price (I'm sure my buddy over at Rainy Day Saver would agree!). I don't need a vase with my flowers -- I have so many from previous V'days. I try to keep it easy - I also prefer cheaper flowers such as daisies and carnations -- they tend to last longer than roses.  But I won't complain! I'm happy to get anything really.

Throughout the years, I've had several different Valentines ranging from my loving father to my boyfriends to male friends to my hubby. I have so many Valentine memories. Here are a few of my favorites.

My father, my first Valentine, gave me a single red rose at age 5. I remember he brought my mom a gorgeous bunch of roses wrapped in a long  box. I thought it was the most amazing thing. I loved the way they were wrapped with pretty, shimmery red paper and a huge bow. I think I even complained that I wanted what Mommy had. Over the years, Dad has made sure to send me flowers or a card with a few bucks tucked inside.

In the '80s, my mom, being a fourth grade teacher, had us decorate a cardboard box which she would wrap in pink paper. When finished, she'd cut a perfect slot into the top. My little brother and I would have two whole weeks to craft lots and lots of Valentine's for each other, Mom and Dad. We went through dozens of doilies, tubes of glue, tons of sparkles, rolls of ribbon and pages of red and pink construction paper. It was almost like a competition to see who could make the most cards. 

On Valentine's Day, Mom would make us a special dinner and a pretty heart-shaped cake or cupcakes. When we got older, she treated us to a breakfast of pink bagels from the local bagel shop. They were much like the  green bagels for St. Patrick's Day -- they didn't taste pink, but they were so pretty! After dinner, my mom would carefully open the decorated box and either my brother or I would hand out cards of all shapes and sizes to our small family of four. I would always notice how my parents gave us each one special card that was "store-bought". I guess they were too busy raising us kids, working and keeping our house in order to sit down and create dozens of handmade cards.

In 1994, I was head-over-heels for my college boyfriend. He resided in the dorms at Stony Brook University where we had met. I lived at least an hour train ride away. The train from Stony Brook didn't even stop in my side of town. I had to pick him up in a town called Stewart Manor.

On our first Valentine's Day weekend a huge snow storm was headed for Long Island. I was a mess of tears worrying the snow would keep us apart. He worked a campus safety job which had him working until 4 am. Somehow, I convinced him to catch a 5 am train to beat the snow! I don't think I slept a wink that night as I waited for his call saying he was getting on the train. This was before we had cell phones. I had to make sure I was at the train station at a particular time.  I remember the snow had just began falling and I had him back at my parents' house safe and sound in time for a day of heavy snowfall. We spent the weekend snowed in watching movies and stuffing our faces. Even though I'm happily married, that memory will stay with me as one of my most favorite Valentine's Days.

Throughout the years with my husband, we've had some of the most amazing Valentine's Days including overnight trips to Atlantic City, dinners out, dinners in, flowers, flowers and balloons, roses, a computer he built me, the one year where he gave me two dozen roses and a $150 worth of beauty gift cards.  I was unemployed and he knew I really wanted highlights, a haircut and a mani/pedi. 

This year he gave me my flowers and made us filet mignon, sauteed spinach and salad - I'm trying to be carb-free right now, so no sweets or starchy sides (bummer!) ... I bought him a new Verizon DROID phone by Motorola. He's been complaining about his cell phone and I'm in charge of phones since he knows I'm more into it than he is. Later we'll open our cards and watch a scary movie. Every year we celebrate Feb. 15th or Valentine's Day as the official day we first met back in 2002. We met online but waited five months to actually meet face-to-face. I was really afraid he wouldn't like me.

Funny how things change as we get older. We certainly have cut back on many of the bells and whistles such as overnight stays and overpriced dinner out -- but every year is just as special as the last.