D-Day Approaches...

By D-Day I , of course, mean Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is always an awkward time at my house. It didn't used to be. Growing up, my Daddy would always give me a big box of heart shaped candies, balloons, and flowers or a stuffed animal. He would have them delivered to school or he would bring them home from work. He did the same for Mama. For my part, I would always make little cards and notes and give them to my parents and it would be a really great day.

But Amos... what to say about Amos? He did do something for me for Valentine's Day once.  The first year we were married I was sitting on the couch with his head in my lap. It was a few days before Valentine's Day. He looked up at me and told me he had got me something for Valentine's Day but he was going to give it to me early. So he gave it to me. I could give you twenty years to guess what it was and you'd still never get it. It was.... a pink blackhead remover. Yep. I kid you not.  He got me a blackhead remover so that I could remove his blackheads.

I enjoy Valentine's Day. Or I used to. For a long time I got him little treats. Sometimes I would leave his favorite candies in his car. Or I'd get him some boxers or pj's or clothes or pizza gift cards. I would give him love notes. Finally it just got too awkward. I enjoy giving him things. I like to spoil him a little. But every time I gave him something he would say thank you and then lecture me on the lameness of Valentine's Day. Amos subscribes to the theory that Valentine's Day was created by Hallmark to rob people of their money.  I subscribe to this theory: Who cares? It's a fun excuse to celebrate. To get dressed up and have a date or a night of romance. I've been over ruled. Continuously. Finally last year I gave up. I did nothing for him. No love notes or hidden treats. We went to get take out (Amos doesn't like sitting in restaurants on Valentine's Day because he says it's too crowded). That was it.

 Last night Amos and I were talking and I asked him what he wanted to do for Valentine's this year. His response: "Nothing." So I said "Where do you want to go eat?" His response: " We eat every night."  And that was that. I give up. Maybe I am lame for liking Valentine's Day, but I don't care. I'm starved for it. I don't like looking  around and seeing all the tenderness and sweetness but not being allowed to participate. I'm okay with being lame.

So, since I won't be celebrating (again) I thought I'd share some fun ideas with you for Valentine's Day.

Creative:

Romance By You - If any of you are Twilight fans, you have the chance to make a new story and your boy toy can be your leading man.

Love Coupons  - There's no need to buy this. I would encourage you to make your own. I actually made one of these for Amos one year (last year). I spent hours on it, but in the course of normal conversation he gave me the "Valentine's Day is lame" talk again and I just threw it away. But it was fun to make.

Fortune Cookies  - There are other great ideas on this page as well.

A Treasure Hunt - Make little love notes with candies or an inexpensive or handmade gift and hide them throughout the house. You're "treasure" can be whatever you want. Maybe the "treasure" is a candle lit bedroom and some new lingerie. Maybe it's a gift card to his favorite restaurant. Or sports tickets. It could be anything.

Nice:

A play - Get gussied up and go out to a nice restaurant and a play at your local theater.

Indoor date night - I personally love the hustle and bustle of a crowd. On Valentine's Day I actually enjoy looking at all the couples and watching them get all gooey eyed. But I know that for some, they'd prefer the quiet solitude of enjoying their significant other alone. So...grab some movies that you BOTH want to see, throw some blankets on the floor with some pillows and popcorn and have a movie night. You can prelude the movie with a special dinner that you both prepare.

Chocolate and Flowers - Men, do not under estimate the power of the flower. Take it from a woman who has never received flowers from her husband. Grab a $10 bouquet. Buy a $5 vase, $1 bag of decorative rocks, and a $1 spool of fancy ribbon. Put a handful of rocks in the bottom of the vase and tie your ribbon around the vase. Then trim your flowers and place them in your vase. Throw in a heart felt love note and you're gold. You just spent $17 bucks and made your wife feel very special and loved. Remember, the romance comes from the EFFORT not the cost.

Naughty:

His and Hers Lingerie - You knew that one would make the list somewhere.... so there it is.

Game Night - I'm not talking Monopoly here people. Strip poker. Or this . Or this.

Bubble Bath - Crawl into a hot bathtub full of bubbles and oils and enjoy each other. Take turns cleaning each other. To add to the romance, put on soft music and light the room with candles.


There are a million ideas on the Internet. I encourage you to make your man or woman feel special that day. Everyone deserves to feel special. Enjoy.