That makes me sort of sad, because as many know, I love Valentine's Day. I loved it as a kid, I loved it as a teenager, I loved it as a single college student, and I still love it as a wife and mother. In general, to Valentine nay-sayers, I say that the day is whatever you make it out to be.
Valentine's Day for me has always been about love. There are so many people I love: my family, my friends, my spouse, my son. Valentine's Day is a great excuse to express that love. I do my best to tell as many of them as I can that I love them. I try to do things that I hope will make others feel loved, whether it is giving them a gift, sending them a card, or leaving cookies on their doorsteps. Sometimes I feel bad that I don't have time to do more, but I sincerely hope that the efforts I do make brighten at least a good number of people's days and make them feel remembered and loved.
I am very grateful for a husband who joins in on the fun with me for Valentine's Day. This year I was so impressed with his creative gift!
He Photoshopped a can of hot chocolate so that the label read "Nathan's Gourmet Hot Love Unlimited Edition Surprise Flavor." He changed a number of things on the rest of the label too.
When I went to try this "surprise flavor," I found little laminated hearts buried in the mix with sweet things written on them. I was indeed surprised! Nate also gave me some nice fleece bedsheets. I love how warm they are...perfect for someone who is always cold during the winter!
We also received a number of fun Valentine cards and greetings from others this year. Austin got the elephant card with a strawberry creme filled heart from us.
I made a special Valentine dinner too: Caesar salad, nut-encrusted fried brie, lemon caper chicken, wild rice, orange rolls, and chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries.
Nate also planned a really fun date for us for Friday evening. He sent me a file with a message that would "self destruct" after I read it:
Rebecca,
You and Nate are needed on a top secret mission! You will both need a crash course in international espionage and marksmanship. After dinner, our under-cover agent will be the look-out while you are away. Rendezvous at 1995 N. Main St., Layton, UT at 18:45 hours for your first training session. At 21:15 hours you will view an extensive training video held at 21 N. Main St., Kaysville, UT. As all secret agents need skills in wooing, you should use your time together tonight to be extra romantic. Good luck. This message will self destruct after you close this window.
Unfortunately, the date itself didn't work out too well. After leaving Austin with the under cover agent (our babysitter), our first activity was supposed to be to spend some time at the shooting range, but it was unusually busy and we weren't able to get in. After that we were going to see Skyfall, but at the last minute, the theater moved the show to a later time that would have put us home very late. So...it looks like we will have to try our date again some other time.
Since I teach a CTR 6 class in our ward, I made little valentines for each child in our class. We left them them along with a couple of cookies at the kids houses. Today at the start of our Primary Class I asked them if they had a good Valentine's Day. They started talking about Valentine's Day. Then they started all telling me, "I got a Valentine from my Primary teachers!" It made me laugh.
