When I was a teenager, I hated Valentine’s Day. Do you know the song ‘At Seventeen’ by Janis Ian? It might have been written just for me, but that was before I learned everyone shares the same insecurities. I could never compete with the local beauty queens. It was watching them get all the gorgeous guys that confirmed me as a bookworm. For a few bright, shining hours I could stop waiting for a postman who never arrived, or a phone call that didn’t come. I escaped disappointment through fiction. Through reading I could pretend to be spirited Lizzie Bennet, or Bathsheba Everdene, with men falling at her feet.
As I grew older, I realised things aren’t always as they seem. The schoolfriend who was (apparently) the Girl Most Lusted-After in our village was later found to have spent a fortune on buying and posting a huge haul of Valentine cards to herself.
Eventually, I met my very own real-life hero. We’d only had one proper date by the time St Valentine’s Day arrived, so it looked like another cardless year for me. But I was in for a surprise. Instead of a card, he gave me a memory I shall always treasure. He secretly packed a picnic, and whisked me off to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. There were snowdrops, it snowed, and he was wonderful - it couldn’t have been more romantic. Or so I thought...for a few weeks later, at Easter, he asked me to marry him. That was nearly twenty-eight years ago, and in all that time he’s never forgotten a significant date, he chooses the most beautiful cards and presents, and during the rest of the year he often surprises me with flowers or breakfast in bed. Oh, and he’s also the world’s best Dad and a dab-hand at washing up!
A recent survey found that only a tiny percentage of men could tell you their wife’s dress size or date of birth. Let’s be charitable and hope the majority of them play Alpha male to the hilt when taking part in surveys like that one. Only their partners know that in reality they come good with the chocolates and perfume behind closed doors...
Now it’s over to you - what’s your favourite memory of St Valentine’s Day? If you could ‘make your own’ memory, what would it be?
As I grew older, I realised things aren’t always as they seem. The schoolfriend who was (apparently) the Girl Most Lusted-After in our village was later found to have spent a fortune on buying and posting a huge haul of Valentine cards to herself.Eventually, I met my very own real-life hero. We’d only had one proper date by the time St Valentine’s Day arrived, so it looked like another cardless year for me. But I was in for a surprise. Instead of a card, he gave me a memory I shall always treasure. He secretly packed a picnic, and whisked me off to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. There were snowdrops, it snowed, and he was wonderful - it couldn’t have been more romantic. Or so I thought...for a few weeks later, at Easter, he asked me to marry him. That was nearly twenty-eight years ago, and in all that time he’s never forgotten a significant date, he chooses the most beautiful cards and presents, and during the rest of the year he often surprises me with flowers or breakfast in bed. Oh, and he’s also the world’s best Dad and a dab-hand at washing up!
A recent survey found that only a tiny percentage of men could tell you their wife’s dress size or date of birth. Let’s be charitable and hope the majority of them play Alpha male to the hilt when taking part in surveys like that one. Only their partners know that in reality they come good with the chocolates and perfume behind closed doors...
Now it’s over to you - what’s your favourite memory of St Valentine’s Day? If you could ‘make your own’ memory, what would it be?
Christina
7 comments:
I am not big on Valentine's Day. It's just another day. My husband and I celebrate our love throughout the year, rather than just once.
When we were first married, my husband and I exchanged cards. For the past 20+ years, we have written notes to each other instead. The one card I will remember, though, is where he wrote: "To my dearest Sweath heart". Ahh, it tugs at your heart strings, doesn't it, LOL? Obviously I am the speller in the family and my husband isn't. That's okay. Between us, we've got it covered. (Ahhh, the images that phrase spawned.)
I digress. Sorry about that!
As for making my own Valentine's Day memory, I'm doing it: we're visiting good friends -- taking them some fresh homemade brownies and buying all of us pizza for supper! No fuss, no muss! Just good conversation!
Have a super Valentine's Day, Christina!
*Every* Valentines Day with the DH2B has been special! Cheesey I know - but it's the truth. Caroline x
Laney, pizza and homemade brownies sounds just the thing for a great get together. Hope you have a wonderful time!
That's not cheesey, it's lovely, Caroline. It's the sort of sentiment that makes romance!
I spend Valentine's Day with my grandkids, I always have a good time with them. Today we got together for a little while, my 4 year old granddaughter has strep-throat so we didn't stay long. That's a good Valentine's Day for me, being with my daughter's and their kids.
Linda, I hope your little granddaughter's bad throat clears up soon - although I'll bet a cuddle from Gran made her feel a whole lot better!
I love spending Valentine's Day with my family. Just having a nice, quiet day at home.
Hope you had a great day!
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