Valentines with Kids

I happen to be one of the lucky ones, I have a romantic husband. In fact, he is way more romantic than me. I used to be, but something happened, could it be the kids or life. Jim and I have been together 27 years and married 22. Yes, we are goofy, we got married on Valentine's Day so it was also our Anniversary as well. Of course, since we waited to have children and they are still young, we no longer do the nights out on the town. However, that does not mean we don't thoroughly enjoy this auspicious day. We like it be a family event.

Because Valentines fell on a Saturday, a very busy day in our house, we started celebrating on Friday. I awoke to roses placed in strategic places throughout the house. Each rose had a card with a sentiment of love written on it in various languages. It was capped off with a card that held tickets for the family to see Stars on Ice. I have wanted to see that live since I was a kid (don't ask how long ago that was). When I was a kid they called it Ice Capades. That evening we took the boys out to dinner at one of our favorite family friendly restaurants. It was awesome

For Jim my demonstration of romance was not nearly as elaborate. When he came home early Saturday morning from the car shop he was greeted by a series of cards from all of us and a book by one of his favorite authors, Donald E. Westlake. Mr. Westlake had just recently passed and Jim has been trying to get more of his books for his collection. In the book was a book mark with a list of all the other Westlake books I ordered that were being shipped. He was thrilled because they are hard to find and he's been trying to find them for years.

Why am I telling you our silly, probably boring Valentine's story? Because to me it is amazing that after 22 years we can find ways to surprise and delight each other even in our busy world with busy kids. I hope this will give you hope encouragement in your world today.