There is a day that
brings hopes and dreams to a woman's heart and terror to
her husband's mind. They call it Valentine’s Day. Starting
out at the tender age of seven with the anticipation of
pasty homemade cards, expectations grow larger and more
elaborate from there on.
When we entered our teens, the puppy
love celebration usually included stuffed animals, mushy
letters full of misguided empty promises, and a heart
shaped box of chocolates. We were thrilled beyond words
and would live, eat, and breath the memories for weeks to
come.
As we moved into young adulthood, it
became less about what was cute, and more about what we
could gloat over our coworkers the next day. Then we
actually met our true love. Each year we would pray for
the obvious lump in his coat pocket that indicated the
presence of a ring box. No matter how much he spent, or
the considerable planning he went through to give us a
special, romantic evening, if there was no ring, it was
all for not. <continued below>
Do you remember the first Valentine’s
celebration you and your hubby shared as a married couple?
Most of us had to discuss and budget for weeks. Leaving
for the restaurant that night, we noticed every star and
marveled at the beauty of the moon. Holding hands over the
table, we gazed into each others eyes. As we headed out
the door, we complimented the staff at the quality of the
food - Big Macs had never tasted quite so good . . .
Five years later, you slam the receiver
down on his ear. Another Valentines spent at home,
ordering pizzas. Whatever happened to all the sweet
nothings he whispered in your ear eight years ago? The
pressures of mortgages, school tuition, and taxes have
burdened your husband to the point he has to pinch every
dime - you only wish he had enough energy left to pinch
your butt once in awhile . . . If only we could flash
ahead thirty years . . .
Looking in the mirror, you are
pleasantly surprised at how kind the years have been to
you. As you are smoothing a moisturizer over the tiny
crow’s feet around your eyes, your white haired husband
comes up from behind and gives you a little squeeze. "Not
bad looking for an old broad of sixty," he teases. "Hurry
up and I'll go warm up the car. Don't primp too long..."
Your new pearls go wonderfully with your
favorite sweater. "What a romantic old coot," you muse to
yourself. Glancing at the clock, you realize you had
better run. Dinner reservations won’t be held if you're
late. Grabbing the gift bags you filled at the dollar
store, you run out the door. "I can hardly wait to see my
darling grandchildren . . . I do hope my baby Suzie and
her husband will have a special evening out away from
their kids. Since we’ve retired, we travel so much it’s
not often that we are free to babysit..."
Remember girls, it is just a day. Don't
sweat it if you aren't celebrating with a dozen roses at a
five star restaurant. Light a candle and hold each other
for a while. This Valentine’s day, if you love your hubby
and he loves you, your heart should be full and
overflowing!
