{What I Love} no14: this Valentine's Day

Life is ironic. Here I am, an avowed Valentine's Day hater, trying to de-grinch myself by writing all month about stuff I love. And life turns around and gives me one of my favoritest Valentine's Days ever.

Here's how it went:

First, this morning, I treated myself to a caramel hot chocolate from McDonald's on my way home from driving the kids to school. (Yes, I was still in my pajamas!) I made valentines for my kiddos, a batch of pizza dough for dinner, and a batch of sugar cookie dough for dessert, and then I rushed off to work, where my coworker immediately gave me a bar of chocolate.

When my shift was about half-way finished, I was sitting at the main desk. My library has what we call a bridge, which is a glassed-in walkway between two wings. I was working on some book group stuff (as I am wont to do) when I looked up and saw four middle-aged men walking across the bridge. They had on matching outfits: black pants, red sweaters with black shirts underneath, and black and red floral-print ties. I wonder who that obviously-a-barbershop-quartet group is going to sing to? I thought, sitting up straighter to greet them. Whomever it is is going to be slightly embarrassed.

I never thought it would be me.

But it was. Kendell had hired his friend's group to serenade me. In the middle of the library! It was awesome, even though I was blushing so hard I'm fairly certain I was purple. Before they started singing one of them asked me if they could sing as loud as they usually do, or if I would get fired. I made an executive decision to let them sing loudly. It was lovely and sweet and thoughtful and memorable!

When I got home, I discovered that Haley had cleaned the kitchen, Kaleb had made me a sweet Valentine cobbled together from some of his favorites from school, and Kendell had dropped by the jewelry store to pick up my anniversary/Valentine's Day gift (which I shall blog about tomorrow). More sweetness! I had to run to Costco quickly, as I had run out of time that morning to buy the pizza toppings. The second I got home all the kids and I worked together to make the pizzas. When we make pizza at my house, each kid has an 8" pan of his/her own. I spread the dough and then the kids make the exact pizza they want. Kaleb discovered he likes canadian bacon!

After we ate, we cut out the cookies, then baked them, and Kaleb just, all by himself while I was eating, frosted them all.

Tonight, I get it. I get why people love Valentine's Day. And while I don't think I'll get (or even want or need) jewelry, flowers, and a singing quartet every year from now on, that is OK. That it's happened just this year is good enough. It's awesome, in fact. Because now I have this Valentine's Day, the one I can look back on with sweet fondness no matter what any other year brings!

How was your Valentine's Day?

Comments

[Lucy]

This is fantastic! I love that there was so much thoughtfulness about everything. I adore Valentine’s Day. Not as a “shower me with flowers and chocolate” kind of day but as a day I can shower my loves with flowers and chocolate (although, I didn’t do flowers but books instead!) It was a great, great day.

[Wendy]

What a wonderful Valentine's Day! So glad you have this happy memory. Mine was meh. John's big gift was a trip to Dairy Queen and I began to feel sick mid-afternoon, thus nixing the DQ. Urgh! Ah, well, just hoping to be well enough for our trip to a water park this weekend.

[Chris S]

I love that you had such a great Valentine's day!! One of the best parts of my Valentine's day was getting a card from you in the mail!!!

[Kasandra Mathieson]

What a wonderful day! Wow, you are amazing on Valentine's Day....thanks for sharing with us Amy!!

[Isabel]

Oh my goodness, I love it.

(And in regards to your peeing in elevator comment in your other post...I work in construction and let me tell you, every single elevator has been peed in. At least that's what the contractors are always telling us!)