Yesterday I was in Wal-Mart picking up a few things. There was a mother and father coaching their son, who looked about 7, on Valentines. He seemed really stressed on which ones to pick. I hung out in the cosmetics department and heard his dad try to convince him to get the CARS ones. His mom chimed in that he "did really like that movie." There was silence for a couple seconds. It must have been just enough time for him to read some of the sample cards on the back of the box. Those cars must have been saying some pretty romantic things to each other because he said he "couldn't give that to a girl. That's gross!"
Valentine's day was so stressful at that age. It was even more stressful for the Bradley girls because we made our own Valentines. Which doesn't make you very cool at that age. AND that also means that the message couldn't be blamed on the manufacturer. It was all straight from our hearts. (Appropriately) I just remember red glitter and glue sticks and construction paper covering the dining room table. What seemed like such a fun idea--I felt it in the pit of my stomach as I dropped a home-made love identical love note into each of my classmates decorated envelopes hanging from their desk. I would have killed for CARS Valentines to give out.
Other than making our own Valentines, my mom was really sweet about the holiday. She always focused it on love. Which may sound obvious--but it was about ANYTHING we loved. She made food that we loved. She bought us our favorite treats. We watched our favorite things. And we spent time with each other. She always made sure we felt that it didn't matter if we were in a relationship, we were always loved. So that has stuck with me. And I have never had a sad Valentine's day like so many girls I know. But I have to admit...having Chris with me this year is going to make for the best Valentine's yet. Hands down.
This week is dedicated to the things I love most. Mwuah!
way (thanks mapquest) from my Valentine, and he still managed to make me smile. He overnighted a letter. He sent me a large sketchpad and pencils and 2 boxes of Hot Tamales. He called me his Valentine even though I "wasn't there for him to take me out to dinner or better yet make me dinner." He told me to take time to draw something every day because he knew that's what I loved to do. He wanted me to be happy. Today, and every day since, he has. Valentine's Day 2009 he made extra special. I first saw Chris in 2004. We officially met in 2005 and this year was our first Valentine's day together. Unfortunately, he was scheduled to work all day. I was bummed, but determined to make the most of the time we DID hav
e together. When he woke up, he slid an unwrapped gift for me under the blankets. When I reached for my gift, I pulled out Arrested Development, Season 2!! (He got me season 1 for Christmas. I was thrilled. I love that show. I was totally bummed when the series got cancelled. America just wasn't ready for that kind of wittiness. But if you are into clever wit, call me. We'll have an Arrested Development marathon.) I made him a big breakfast and showered him with kisses and he left for work. I didn't think I was going to see him until 8pm, but he came home for lunch with a rose, chocolates, and a gift certificate for a massage! And when he came home a few hours later, we went and found an apartment, and just a few hours later, he was home for the night. We had dinner and watched 50 first dates together. It was nice just to BE together. After such a long couple weeks. And after so many years.
