Valentine's Extravaganza

I have had some requests, via email, to blog about my Valentines Day. Truth is, I think this is a stupid holiday. If you can't tell me you love me, everyday, then don't humor me on the 14th of February when every other person feels obligated to trek out, get a card, and make reservations at a fancy restaurant. If you *love me* take me out on a date once in a while, bring me home something totally random and inexpensive for no reason what-so-ever, talk about my winning qualities in front of your parents and best friends. If you need a reason, ie: Valentine's Day, don't bother.

The other reason I don't care for the holiday is because I have so many single friends who don't enjoy walking around in public among the advertisements; red roses, big heart balloons, and discounted diamonds. I have a friend who calls it "single's awareness day." What frustrates me, is that most people only acknowledge their significant other on Valentine's Day. Come on people, do you not love anyone else???

The last reason I don't care for Valentine's Day: a drunk driver hit me on Valentine's Day 2007. It was a bad accident and I could have very likely died had I been in a different vehicle.

That said; Aaron and I did acknowledge Valentine's Day this year. We had been discussing it in the days that led up, but had no plans set in stone because I would be working until about 8:00 PM, much too late to catch a movie or grab a bite. This is how our plans were to go:

1. We were not acknowledging Valentine's Day on February 14.
2. We would get each other a card (and/or something small).
3. We would go to dinner on Friday night, when the hubbub from the "holiday" was settled, but it would be a causal dinner (seafood because of Lent) and it would be no big deal... or so I thought.

At work on Thursday many people, knowing Aaron, asked what he had in store for me. I confidently told them "Oh, we don't really acknowledge Valentine's." Later, when I was doing group, my co-facilitator made dinner (it's included in our program), and we always serve dessert. She brought out the pink cupcakes we had bought for the kids and put them away immediately after each group member took one. I give her the look of death as if to say "Hey, Jaime, where's the love?" She responds, "Oh, I didn't think you wanted one because you are going to be showing the STD slides." I said, "yes of course I do, I didn't eat a lot at supper." She stares blankly at me, as if searching for words in her head, so I beat her to the punch..."why do I feel like your my mom right now?!" She relented, and I got my cupcake.

Now, as an aside, this was all said in good fun. Jaime is one of my best friends, and an amazing co-leader. I very much enjoy working with her, but I was frustrated because she knows I could eat finger food in the same room while an autopsy was being conducted. I don't get grossed out... why on earth would she think slides of human anatomy covered with genital warts would stop me from eating a pink cupcake with sprinkles!?

When I got home that night, Valentine's Day, this is what was waiting for me... and he had called Jaime instructing her not to let me eat.

What you see here just happens to be one of my favorite meals: Pork chops with mushrooms, couscous, broccoli salad (I had never had it until Aaron made it for me) French bread, red wine and for dessert dark chocolate cake with a raspberry layer covered in chocolate frosting. As you can also see, red roses (I could have killed him they must have cost a fortune! But they were indeed beautiful.) This happens to be the first meal we ever shared together on an intimate level. He recreated it at 8:30, ready for when I got home.

So, okay, deep down I was pleased ;) He loves me. I have NEVER questioned that.

It doesn't, however, stop there. As planned, we were supposed to go out to eat on Friday... exchanging cards then. (Don't worry, I'm not a total ogre, I did have a little something up my sleeve for Molloy.) Aaron informs me that we are having a Valentine's Weekend. He "knows how I think one day of 'lovin' is stupid" so he has plans for me ALL weekend!

On Friday we go to Ruby Tuesdays. Great dinner, great company. We exchange cards as planned, but my twist... I stopped by his favorite tattoo artist's studio and got him a gift certificate for a tattoo. Aaron plans to have a (brunette, go figure) pin-up girl tattooed on his left forearm. I contributed to the cause because I love self-expression, tattoos (and yes, piercings too). He was more than elated. The certificate should cover the majority of the piece.

Saturday morning, I wake up a little late, to the most delicious smell. He even made me french toast instead of pancakes (I'll eat pancakes, but not a huge fan)

We went on to have a fabulous weekend- the rest of which I am keeping for me ;0)
But, one of the things Aaron wrote in his card to me I have to disagree with:

Jessi
I don't know how to express to you what you mean to me...

I know. You express it daily. Thank you.