Valentine's Day Reflections

Do any of you remember your Valentine's Days from junior high and high school? Let me refresh your memory. When I got to school this morning, there was already (at 7:45 AM) a freshman girl at her locker by my classroom sobbing. Her friends comforted her saying things like, "Well he's a total jerk!" and "I know. I HATE Valentine's Day too!" No day brings out more drama in adolescent relationships than Valentine's Day (well, perhaps with the exception of prom). Everyone in the halls has an eagle eye out for the gifts being distributed to various friends and lovers. When the announcements come calling students to the office to pick up boquets from the florist, the lucky students, sheepish and proud at the same time, head down to pick up their trophies. Then, the real fun begins when the group who sells carnations every year begins to come around to the classes to pass them out. Students surreptitiously display and count them as the flowers pile up on their desks, mouthing the givers' names to their friends. The unlucky few without any put on a brave face mumbling things about a "stupid holiday" and "waste of money." I can't help but remember that situation of desperately wanting your name to be called, wanting the badge of honor a cheaply dyed carnation represents.

It all makes me very glad to be an old married lady with a thoughtful husband and an adorable daughter with whom I can share the day. Since living out of town and having a baby don't make a romantic dinner at a restaurant or a weekend away very feasible, I'm attempting to make our own five star meal tonight--Rosemary Encrusted Lamb Chops (I know the old vegetarian in me is cringing) and Chocolate Mousse for dessert. I'm hoping Claire will amuse herself long enough (or at least allow herself to be bribed with Cheerios) for us to enjoy the meal with a nice bottle of wine while listening to the new Willie Nelson CD Nate picked out for me.