Heart Day

Feb 14th...

Normally, Valentines Day isn't really our thing. Not because we don't like it to join the cliche, but mainly because we are always broke or we forget. We are more the type of couple who realize what day it is and say "Oh Crap...I'll be right back" and that just takes the fun out of it. Last year we were down in California visiting Derrick's parents and we were actually going to celebrate the occasion (last minute plans of course) so we each took turns driving to Wal*Mart, grabbed each other a quick card and some candy, and then got all dressed up and headed to dinner and a movie. First stop was the Olive Garden...Yeah Right! There were so many people there (of the smarter variety, who made reservations) that the line was outside the restaurant and down the street! So we contemplated for a while, and drove across the street to Taco Bell! There is nothing more romantic than trying not to drip taco grease on your shirt while a zitty high school kid mops up the spilled pepsi underneath your stool...

After the movie I made sure to tell Derrick that it was the best Valentine's Day I had ever had! I didn't care about eating cheap Tacos for our dinner, or last minute gifts. All that matters to me is that today was acknowledged...that's more than I can say for the year before!

Well this year was a completely different story. There has been so much in question about whether or not Derrick was even going to be here today, that I decided to tell him I thought we should just not worry about the materialistic side this year. I told him we should just tell each other I Love You and do something nice during the day. He responded with "Oh crap...that is coming up isn't it..." So I figured that was a good idea. I don't mind when he rushes out and gets me something last minute (usually because today happens to fall on payday) but it does hurt my feelings a little when I have to remind him of the holiday itself. I thought this would be a good way to do it this year, take the pressure off, and just relax about it.

Well I was at the store last night and I was walking down the Valentine's Day isle thinking to myself "Should I surprise him anyway?" But I knew I couldn't, that would make him feel awful! And he leaves tomorrow for a whole year, so why would I do that to him?

I woke up this morning 3 hours after the rest of the family because they let me sleep in (and it was AWESOME) and when I came out into the living room Cael said "Momma!!!" and pointed to the couch. There was my awesome Valentine's Day surprise from my awesome husband! He went shopping for me 2 weeks ago! I could tell because the dog was still cold from being hidden out in the shed, and the card was all about how much he missed me. I was so surprised, he made me feel so special this morning, and what do I have to give him??? Absolutely nothing! How terrible is that? Now, I am going to be the one running to the store last minute...what a dummy.