Since the very beginning of our relationship, my husband and I have clashed over Valentines Day. Long story short, he thinks its fun (meaningful?) to celebrate, I don't. I could go on and on about my problem with Vday, but I'm sure you've heard it all before. I'll try to refrain from beating the dead horse senseless.
A few days ago we agreed to go out to dinner sometime during this week (whenever it worked out with the babysitter) and I admit that I bought a greeting card (on coupon) and composed a poem for the inside. Mr A has always had a soft spot for writing about him - bonus points for any mention of "oneness".
This past weekend he went to the store on errands and came back with a book of Valentines stickers for the boys and some strange hanging-heart-thing for me. He had already written on the back in Sharpie so I couldn't exactly argue for its immediate return. I assure you, the heart plaque won't be in our house very long unless I can figure out something else for it to become (ie. it's ugly). But, Ikaika was so pumped up about the stickers, I didn't want to be a grump and spoil the good times.
Yesterday (legit Vday), as I was driving the boys home from preschool, I noticed someone selling Valentines junk on the side of the road. "What idiot buys that crap?" I thought to myself.
As it turns out, my husband does. Mr A came home from work with a balloon and a rose - wrapped in plastic with a weird Styrofoam, glitter covered heart and baby's breath or whatever. I reluctantly accepted it, but couldn't help feeling more than just a little annoyed. Does this man know me at all? Do I seem like the kind of woman who needs/wants this crap? What am I going to do with this in 36 hours besides throw it away? I hesitated thanking him because I didn't want to encourage him to ever do it again.
Later that night, as we sat at the kitchen table working on homework and taxes (how romantic), I gently explained that small gestures mean 1000 times more than any hyped up junk from the store. And edibles are always preferred to disposables. ;)
I appreciate that Mr A always remembers special days like Valentines Day, birthdays and our anniversary. And I love that it's important to him to show how much he cares about me. I guess I would take any display of devotion over nothing at all...
Hmm...
...what was I complaining about?
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