Two days left before Valentine’s Day. I had wonderful plans to take my husband out for a late lunch/early dinner at Applebee’s on Wednesday. (Applebee’s is one of his favorite eating places.) I decided on Wednesday as sort of surprise. We actually like to celebrate Valentine’s the day prior because we hate crowded restaurants.
Looking at the calendar, I realized that Wednesday would be all wrong. My husband, who enjoys having a nice steak medium rare with baked potato and grilled veggie, would have to order something other than meat. The day before Valentine’s Day this year is Ash Wednesday. For our religion it is a fasting day. Like they say good intentions sometimes fall by the wayside. Well my sure did.
I thought long and hard about whether to celebrate on Thursday, but know most places we frequent would be crowded. I sort of chucked as I thought of the little funny Valentine card I passed out for the past few days. I thought of five things, as a woman, I would like for Valentine’s Day and decided perhaps most women would also.
Five Things Women Would Like
For Valentine’s Day
5. Mushy card (Store bought or handmade)
4. Flowers (One perfect red rose is okay)
3. Candy (Chocolates of course)
2. Whimsical gift (Plush teddy bear, perfume or jewelry.
All three would be great)
And the number one thing:
1. Romantic dinner out where the server does not ask
“Do you want to super-size that?”
Hence number one on the list probably why, I think, most restaurants are crowded on February 14th.
Many will be expecting a card, the heart shaped box of chocolates, the flowers (red roses), a nice dinner out or a piece of jewelry. I decided why not surprise that person the day before or two days prior. It would be unexpected and for me more romantic.
So I came up with an idea of doing something special for five days (Sunday through Thursday). Since I planned on the meal out for Monday, Sunday I wrote a short love poem using the top ten Valentine’s Day words found on an on-line dictionary I frequently use. It happened by accident I had been on the web site using the thesaurus. Everything fell into place and the story (done as a poem) just flowed. Surprised was he, you ask? Yes!
The surprise today, you may wonder, a series of small Valentine message cards. They are reminiscent of the ones given and received as school children. Wednesday I plan to sit down with my husband, have a beverage and read him a few love poems while in the background soft music plays.
Two days left and you still are trying to come up something different. I have given you a few ideas in the past few blogs. Be creative for once and not succumb to the ‘cookie cutter’ items found on the store shelves.
.
COOKIE CUTTERS
©Scottie-ann Murphy
“So here’s a heart
here’s a rose
and box of chocolate candy
Hey what more do you want?”
Three items……bestowed upon me
the typical tokens given on the day
of love
they do not bring joy
nor make me feel as if I am
special
Cookie cutter presents….sitting upon
the store shelves
In the card section, floral area and
candy aisle
Gifts all available at Wal-Mart
nicely displayed and packaged for
the masses
Pick them up,
place in the shopping cart,
take to the check out cashier
Sign the card “with love” and your
name
give to the one you hold dear
No fuss, no bother, no racking the
brain
on how to show affection on
Valentine’s Day
I accept the gifts presented to me…..
read the words penned by another
inside the card
look at the professional prepared
floral arrangement
and sigh at the beautiful box of
candy
“Thank you” I say handing you the
card created with love
the words written from my heart
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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