Valentine's Day

Valentine's morning, I had to go to the grocery store. I hadn't planned on it but we needed eggs. I walked in and was surrounded by balloons and flowers and men trying desperately to figure it all out. I have watched this before on other Valentine's Days. Before it had amused me, but this time I felt curious. I saw one particular man wondering around, clueless. He went from the stuffed animals to the cards and back again. These guys are what HEB thrives on. They know he is clueless and would buy anything if he thought it would make his girl happy. I felt sorry for him. Later as I was finishing up, I saw him again with a red and white puppy in his hand. He looked satisfied with it but was still scrambling for more. It was kind of pathetic to watch.

I was curious about what makes a guy decide what to buy. Or for that matter what makes a girl want a red stuffed puppy. It is something I have struggled with myself. What to do with Valentines Day. For years, I declared I wanted nothing. It was better than being disappointed. Then in the last few years, I realized I want something but what? My poor husband!

Finally this year I think I have an idea. I want something from the heart. I know that doesn't help my husband much but I finally understand. Once he gave me a bear and I loved it. This year I got a card with his words inside and I cried. It was perfect because his heart was in it. If he had showed up with a stuffed puppy, flowers and balloons I probably would have been mad. Because I don't think that would have expressed his heart. Not this year.

Before he gave me the card, I could feel the disappointment sitting, waiting to pounce on me but I held off....hoping. And his card surpassed all I could hope for. It described what we have, what we don't have and who we are and how he loved it all and wanted more. After I cried, I laughed hysterically at all the misspellings. It was awesome.

Someday, when I am skinny (if I ever live that long), the perfect thing will be candy. Until then, that's just one more thing I don't want!