Remembering Valentine's Day

Eleven years ago on Valentine's Day, Phillip tossed a ring at me and asked me to marry him. Yes, tossed. Let me preface this by saying, on Phillip's behalf, that it was coincidentally Valentine's Day. It was not planned. He would never, ever be so cliche as to propose on valentine's day on purpose!

We were not even on speaking terms for some reason or another for perhaps a month, maybe more, previous to this. We went out to dinner and went back to my apartment where he tossed a ring at me and asked me to marry him. I was very surprised, and was dangerously close to saying no. I mean really...marry him??? We were just barely speaking again! I hugged him to buy time before answering. After I'm sure what seemed like an eternity for him, a small voice inside told me that we were supposed to be together. I decided that I couldn't really picture my life without him in it. So here we are, 11 years later and I couldn't be happier with the decision!

We have very few disagreements and we experience a bit of lively banter at times, (like when he makes me late for church on Sundays) but a little friendly banter is that spice in life that makes things more interesting. As with any recipe, you don't want too much spice or too little! After a few years of practice, we're getting the recipe right! We always come together on important decisions and he's the best husband one could ask for. Our marriage is a happy one with blissfully little drama. He's my best friend and is super supportive and very helpful with the kids and a wonderful father. So I was thinking about this as I woke up on Saturday morning.


On Friday, Archie and I got the arts and craft supplies out and made valentines for family members. I would post pictures here, but some family members haven't received theirs yet because we didn't do them far enough in advance. So Mobile families, yours are coming in the mail!

Phillip got a box of these cheapy turtles he likes from the drugstore. I would've gone the extra mile and gotten him some quality chocolate ones from a candy place around here, but he is a bit brand picky and really likes his drugstore turtles. So he got a big fat heart full of them! They didn't last out the day. Lawrence really likes the box because it is like a large puzzle. So two valentines in one! Phillip also got some Hershey kisses and a homemade card.


Since I figured Archie would like something he could play with, I found a really cool card game by Cranium that's called Zigety and got him that and some Andes mints. He totally loved the game.


The boys got me a big heart full of chocolate covered strawberries, a scented candle and holder and a new tea pitcher. I broke the one I got from my Granny recently and was really bummed about it. It's weird how I attach such sentimental value to stuff. But I always thought of her every time I made or poured tea from that pitcher. So the boys got me one I couldn't break. It's plastic, but looks like glass and pours very nicely!


We have valentines for Morgan as well, but she hasn't had time to stop long enough to receive hers.

We spent our valentines day practicing a fire drill to fulfill the last Tiger Cub badge requirement. Phillip made an escape ladder for Archie's room. There was no way in hell I was going down that ladder without an emergency to give me some courage! It was waaay too high! But Archie and Phillip both did it. I took pictures. I'm sure in an emergency, I wouldn't hesitate to go down there, but I really need the smoke and fire at my heels to get over the fear of heights enough to make it out the window!

You pretty much have to go two stories below the window, because you have to pass the first floor and basement before you get to the ground. Very scary!

So after all that excitement, I made a big grocery shopping trip. After I got home, we decided to head out to this electronics sale down at the convention center. It was very cold and windy, but nice to get out and see downtown again. After we got back, Phillip and I opened the bottle of Shiraz and the cheese, hummus and crackers I bought. Archie got out his new card game. So we chowed down, drank wine and played Zigety for a couple of hours. It was a good togetherness time and we all had a great time.

I'd say it was one of the finer valentine's days I've ever had! So in summary, a couple of things to remember: Phillip proposed in spite of Valentine's Day...not because of Valentine's Day. Know that!

Also, it doesn't take a lot to make my Valentine's Day. A glass of wine, some tasty treats, a lively card game, and best of all, time spent with my loved ones!