Ah, Valentine’s Day. How you can cause so many to feel blue yet still manage to fill so many hearts. For me, Valentine’s Day is a day to give that many extra hugs and kisses to my girls and remind my husband that I’m grateful for him and his love. I’ve never had huge expectations on this particular date each year but when even the unexpected gesture of appreciation is shown, it’s enough to make my heart flutter all over again.
I read a book to Hailey’s preschool class this morning. The kids sat criss-cross-applesauce in a circle around me while my sweet girl sat on my lap. The kids were very well behaved and genuinely attentive as I read Adeline Valentine. They weren’t even distracted by my phone’s “don’t forget to pick up Hailey” reminder alert that sounded right in the middle of my narration.
There was a point this morning when I kind of felt duped. When I got into the car to take the 5 year old to school, there was a red, heart-shaped box sitting on the passenger’s seat. Well, immediately I was “tickled” that my man left me a sweet little surprise. He probably thought this would make me smile and brighten up my day, because he knows how much I love chocolate. I picked up the box and much to my dismay, the top fell off and it was empty. I thought, how cruel! Even if he meant to joke around, it wasn’t funny! That’s how far my addiction to chocolate goes. For about three minutes, I fumed that he could have thought it was funny at all. I thought about ways of getting back at him, maybe publicly humiliating him in 140 characters or less, and then I snapped back into reality. It’s a freaking box of chocolates, who cares!? I sent him a text letting him know that it was like a slap in the face to leave an empty box of chocolates in plain view on Valentine’s Day. I mean…the nerve! I found out that the previous day, he had shared the miniature box of four chocolates with Hailey. Of course!
Anyway, it was funny after the fact. I’m amazed at how torn I was when I realized the box was empty and that he just might have tried to play a joke on me. See the kind of emotions February 14th stirs up in couples!? Valentine’s Day, you’re a trouble-maker!
The rest of the day was kind of lazy. Then, this evening, I was pleasantly surprised that a dinner reservation had been made for two at a local dining establishment. The two of us had a nice dinner. Valentine’s Day, you are so sweet!
I would have to say that the happiest or proudest moment of my day was when I saw Hailey comfort a fellow classmate. Her friend was upset that her parents weren’t at the class Valentine’s party. So, Hailey consoled her by just being a truly good friend.
My heart swelled with happiness.
