Valentine's Day

Ah, the relief of going private!  No more worries about mentioning names, accidentally giving out telling information regarding our school, or stressing when I post pictures with part of our address shown in them (like at New Years).

What a great week!  My friend Becky kicked off the holiday on Monday by having a group of friends over for lunch.  We ate, talked, and laughed.  Tuesday morning I took Mary in for her post-surgery check-up and Dr. Raether said everything looked great.  Since it was Valentine's Day, we met David for lunch at TGI Fridays.  We hurried back so Mary could get on the bus and I went shopping for Valentine's Day gifts for the kids.  I had already purchased something for David since he is my sweetheart after all, but I thought the kids would be fine since Cupid visits our house.  I felt a bit guilty, however, when Charlotte purchased something for each of her siblings.  I know, I know - what a lame mother - letting some little guy with wings, wearing a toga no less, be the only one to give gifts to my kids on Valentine's Day.  So on the 14th, I picked up some little things I knew they'd like and left them in their spots on the table.  Jacob received a Culver's gift card so when we have yet another awful meal (in his opinion), he can get something he enjoys instead.  Charlotte got earrings, Laurel received a mini build-a-bear from Target, and Mary got one of those polly-pocket-sized Barbie dolls from the "12 Dancing Princesses" movie, also found at Target.  The kids were surprised and thrilled to come home and find something waiting for them.  After a quick snack, the girls rushed off to Activity Days while David came home, changed and went for a run at the dome.  The girls came home and we were just sitting down to dinner when someone knocked on the front door.  Lo and behold, Cupid had left a box of candy for Jacob and Charlotte on our front step.  Laurel, Mary and I were starting to feel disappointed when another knock sounded from our deck doors.  We rushed to the porch and found more candy - this time for Laurel and Mary.  Just when I was sure Cupid had forgotten David and I, yet another knock came from the front door where we found even more candy with our names on it.  Oh Happy Day :).  After Cupid, we had dinner (David made it just in time) and enjoyed a relaxing evening.  It was a perfect, low-key, low-stress, happy day!


David started bringing me roses on a regular basis when we were dating and continues to do so today after 14 years of marriage.  When we both worked downtown, he would pick them up at the Farmer's Market on Nicollet Mall.  I loved those flowers because they were always so fragrant.  Now, he swings by Target or Sam's Club and I love them just as much as the Farmer's Market ones.  Having a close friend who is currently going through a separation, I am very aware of how grateful I am for my good husband and my happy marriage.  And I am very aware of how easy it is to take these blessings for granted.  I love the line from the song in the movie "Fireproof" which says "Love's worth fighting for . . . "  A good marriage is definitely something to work at and fight for and cherish every single day.


And that's why I was determined that this year, our anniversary would include a little time away from our kids.  We always celebrate our anniversary, but it is typically dinner out which lasts all of 2 hours if we're lucky.  This year we went "away" overnight and it was wonderful.  Going away is always tricky because David is very particular about who stays with our kids and especially who has access to the private areas of our home.  It was a stroke of genius when I thought of asking our niece, Maggie.  She's about to graduate so could use the money and she's family so David feels comfortable having her here.  And did I mention she works at a daycare, so she's also qualified.   We snuck away for 24 hours in January.  Maggie came over after work that Friday while we were enjoying dinner at Benihana.  We drove to a hotel in Bloomington and were able to actually sleep in the next morning.  Spent some time at the Mall of America, watched a movie, and ate ice cream (of course!  No celebration is complete for David without ice cream) before returning home to 4 happy kids.  Maggie was awesome.  She played with the girls and took Jacob to basketball practice and his game the following day.  And I realized all over again that not only do I love David, but I still really like him.  I like to hang out with him, to talk to him, and to spend time with him like the best friend that he is.  I'm proud of our 14 years together.  It seems like a really long time in a good way.  How many people these days can say they've been married for 14 years and are still happy.  And I plan to make sure we keep celebrating lots of things so our marriage stays strong and happy and we stay connected as a couple.