He Loves Me

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've always thought that Valentine's Day must be one of the most feared days of the year for the average American Guy. Boy, is he under the gun! If he doesn't come through with something creative, thoughtful, romantic, different, and expensive for his girl he could be in deep doggy doo-doo.

I let my husband off that particular hook years ago.

I don't need flowers or stuffed rabbits or chocolates (in fact, he's been strictly forbidden to bring home chocolates for any reason). I don't even need a card.

Instead I try to pay attention to the little things he does every day of the year. Filling the car with gas so I don't have to. Complimenting me on a dinner I made. Telling me he thinks I'm smart. Bringing me coffee in the morning. Vacuuming. Letting me know he finds me attractive. Washing my car. Handling the bookkeeping for my little biz. Doing the grocery shopping and always buying plenty of the stuff that he knows I like.

On special occasions, if there's something I want to buy or to do, all I have to do is tell him. He's always more than willing to comply; after all, he didn't have to come up with the idea on his own and that takes a huge burden off of him. And I get exactly what I want.

I hadn't mentioned Valentine's Day at all this year, knowing he has to work this weekend. Of course, I'd rather he didn't have to work and we could spend the day together but it is what it is, and the extra-long hours he's working will finance our July trip to Kauai for my sister's wedding.

So I was surprised this morning at breakfast when, over bowls of oatmeal, he offered dinner out once his current contract is done (in two weeks or so) as a "late Valentine's Day out."

Now that's all the more special because it was unexpected.

And guess what? We'll be able use a coupon at Black Angus for a Prime Rib 4-course dinner for two for only $37.00 and which is NOT valid on Valentine's Day. Black Angus just happens to be the restaurant where Mike proposed to me 19 years ago.

Meanwhile, tomorrow evening I'll be perfectly content to have a quiet supper of salad and a bowl of tomato bisque soup.

Tomato bisque soup from one of the dozen cans that Mike bought for me because he loves me and he knows it's my favorite.

What's more romantic than that?

What are YOU doing for Valentine's Day?