Valentine's Day-the day in which our materialistic society binges on chocolates, roses, extra large stuffed animals, and sparkly things. It has become such a marketing ploy; the day they take down the Christmas trees they put up the cupids. I heard on Catholic radio a week or so ago, mention of how this holiday came to be. As the story goes it used to be a pagan holiday in which all forms of sexual pleasure were encouraged and enjoyed by the masses of young adults during that time. The pope of this era decided to attempt an end to it by encouraging young adults to instead choose a saint on that day to which they would pray to over the next year. Somehow as the years progressed, the two concepts morphed into yet another whole idea. The romanticism behind the paganism remained minus (for most at least) the perversity, and the dedication to a saint also prevailed-St. Valentine (although most don't realize this). Anyway, moving on from the general population's "Valentine's Day" over the past several centuries to the microscopic view of my own family in regards to St. Valentine's Day... Since our relationship began in 2008, my man and I have delighted in doting upon the other, whether by innovative love notes, surprise gifts, scavenger hunts, or acts of insanity meant to express our love. This year, despite being married with a baby and one on the way, was no exception. In fact, it may be because of the busyness of our lives that this Valentine's Day took such precidence. My husband has always taken great pleasure in acts of grandiose love with much pomp and circumstance. He feeds into the very desires of the department store cupids at this time of year. If he could he would yearly buy me diamonds, roses, chocolates and a romantic evening for two, that is just the way he is. Praise the sweet Lord for our circumstances financially however, because it provides him with a much better opportunity for creativity. This year I didn't know if he had planned anything. His work schedule has been across the board and unforseen so I knew he couldn't plan much ahead of time. I don't know if it was due to this or to the fact that I felt a duty in some way to show him I loved him this year, more than before, because of all the craziness that is our lives right now and the fact that he has not been my number one priority as he should be. Regardless, I knew to get my creative juices flowing I would need to go to an abundant source-Pinterest. I found a website within there completely dedicated to organizing date nights for hour hubby. After the initial guilt as I perused the pages, I decided to take one of them up. I actuall put two ideas together as one-any attempt to call it my own. I started planning a week ahead of time a treasure hunt for him that would end in our bedroom which would be set up all fancy and what-not. Each clue had a task along with it such as slow-dancing together, sharing favorite memories, etc. I couldn't wait to see how it all played out. Valentine's Day: My husband wakes up at least an hour before me daily, playing with our precious daughter so I can sleep in. Today was no exception. He also found time to make me a breakfast in bed of heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes (made from scratch!) and OJ. Flowers were on the tray as well of course! After a great start to the day we went about as usual, he going to work, me attacking a long to-do list. I was welcomed by the happy surprise that he got off early! 3:30pm and he was in the kitchen working on the dinner he was making me (yet another surprise) while I put some last minute touches on his gift. A huge gift was that dinner was ready before 5:00pm! I came out of Colette's nursery to find that he had created a picnic on the beach for us! In the middle of this "snowpacalypse" he provided a little relief. He had set up a projector he borrowed from my parents and there was a beautiful video of Hawaii playing with relaxing music. A picnic blanket on the floor with Doritos, wine, cheese, sausage and crackers sealed the deal! He also had a home-made pizza in the oven. Wow, this man is amazing. After dinner, Colette gave us her Valentine's Day gift-she went to bed for the night at 5:30! What a gift! I apologize for the over-use of exclamation points but if there ever was a time to use them incessently the time is now. The next few hours were a lot of fun... ;) Adam loved the treasure hunt and we left the projector up to watch a movie together later. Felt like a real movie theater...which we never get to go to anymore. Wow, the day was great. Honestly, I fell in love with him all over again that day. Sounds cliche that this would happen on Valentine's Day. It is I suppose. But we needed it to be. We needed a nationally accepted holiday about love to force us to focus on that very core of all that our lives are. How had we forgotten it? The day was evidence that each of us was overflowing with a desire to lavish love upon the other. Why did we wait until then? I'm convinced not to let this happen again. What we have is great. No other couple that ever has been or ever will be will know the love that we share. I love you Adam. Thank you, St. Valentine, for reminding me.
