How Do I Love Thee

Valentine's Day never meant that much to me until I met my husband. It is the only day of the year designed to make you feel like crap if you are alone. So typically being alone on this day, I really had nothing but disdain for the Hallmark Holiday.

But since today in the time of year for celebrating love, I started thinking about past Valentine's Days -- the good ones, well really, the only ones. I am not a good wife when it comes to being thoughtful and sentimental in the gift giving arena. My hubby, however, is awesome at it.

I think it may have been our second or third V-day together. As per usual, Donnie was up and out of the house before I had finished my shower. When it was my turn to walk out of the door, I notice a card and a small gift. If you remember from a previous blog, I have a pitiful memory and am shocked when I remember anything, let alone the tiniest of details.

Back to the story, that card and small gift kicked off a heart-filled treasure hunt. That first card gave me a clue leading to another card and present. And so on. My final riddle ended with Donnie at my office with a vase of roses and Sarris candy. That was one of the best days of my life. It was filled with adventure, suspense, love and presents - not meaningless, ridiculously expensive presents. The gifts were perfect for me. Mostly, they were fun, quirky, silly things that make me smile - gel pens with black Post-It Notes, candy, a Thomas Kincaid Mug and matching candle holder. I think there was more, but again, my memory sucks.

I still use that mug, and the vase the roses came in graces my desk waiting for surprise flower deliveries via my husband. Oh wait, I remember more -- there was a candy dish and matching glass picture frame, both of which I still have on my desk, too.

This trip down memory lane only benefits me. But, I think I could go the rest of my life having crappy Valentine's Days and keep that one particular celebration of that holiday as a guide by which to judge the day. One bad day usually can taint something special, no matter how many good things happen thereafter. It is usually bad events that stick in our minds. It is nice to know that there are days you can feel so loved that no matter what may come, that day will be the lasting memory; the one associated with that special day for years to come.