By Nancy
I have to confess — my original Valentine’s Day piece was going to include a handful of quick and easy crafts to give your loved ones. Yeah, that didn’t happen. Between working, attending kindergarten open houses, visits to the pediatrician, keeping up with laundry (not!), etcetera, I just haven’t gotten my sh*t together.
I do, however, love Valentine’s Day. I love the giving part probably more than the receiving end. I got a great deal at an online cookie company and purchased some of my son’s favorite iced sugar cookies. I also managed to pick up a few books at the Scholastic book fair — Power Rangers for him and Fancy Nancy for her. That leaves my biggest Valentine, my husband. I’m going to give him a gift card from Amazon so he can pick up a few new titles for his Kindle.
Then, there’s me. “What do you want for Valentine’s Day?” my hubby keeps asking. Sure, there are a lot of things I actually want and need right now. My favorite perfume bottle is empty. The once-fuzzy robe is almost thread-barren. And, as much as I’d love to go out to a restaurant for dinner, I’m quite satisfied staying home with my family and just hanging out. It doesn’t hurt that my husband is a fabulous cook, either.
So, back to the question. “What do I want for Valentine’s Day?”
A love letter.
That’s what I want. A good, old-fashioned love letter. You know, the kind that makes you melt when you hear it being read by the lead in your favorite chick flick. A classic, romantic letter penned by my sweetheart.
With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s so easy to become those two passing ships in the night. You’re so busy packing lunches, changing diapers and checking homework, you forget your #1. Conversations get interrupted with “Mom! Look at this!” And, just when you get a few minutes alone with your hubby, the baby starts crying.
Although I know I say thank you a lot, “thanks” doesn’t necessarily tell him how I feel about him. That I just melt when I see him making our baby giggle. That I still swoon when he’s running around the house in a towel. I’m proud he takes his job of serving and protecting the public seriously — putting his life on the line every day. Yes, all these things and more, will be included in my love letter to him. You didn’t think I’d let myself off the hook so easily, did you?
How are you spending Valentine’s Day this year? Do you have a love letter story you’d like to share?
Mo says
February 13, 2012 at 1:21 pmNancy, how sweet this post is. 🙂
I don’t have a “love letter” story to tell. My hubs is not that kind of guy. We are spending out Valentines day celebrating 8 years of being married… at home with the kids! lol Kind of hard to get a sitter on Vday… but we will have almost the whole weekend alone.. 😉 😉 😉
Jennie@IW says
February 13, 2012 at 1:26 pmA love letter is an awesome present for Valentine’s Day – more significant, really, than a piece of jewelry, and long-lasting than a box of candy. I know it’s hard for some men to put their feelings into words, but I think to even *try* would mean so much to their wives.
Lily@IW says
February 13, 2012 at 4:58 pmWhat a sweet idea. It will mean so much and be a special treasure. I love that’s what you asked for.
snickers says
February 13, 2012 at 5:55 pmNancy,
A very sweet article and I think your hubby found his true love when he married you! The baby giggle gets me every time.
I make Chocolate Bread every year. I have a guy who has told me everyday since we have been together, that we were partners no matter what. That’s what I love about him the most, his words to me were honest. I still look at him today and see in his eyes that we belonged together. A few years ago on Valentines Day, which we had never done anything for years, a card was waiting on the counter when I came into the house. He had made one on the computer, of course not hand written, but I thought hey, he remembered. All it said was “For someone special in my Life”. Inside it said, this is not in the budget, will never be, but I decided it time to show you in some small way, how much I appreciate you and what you do for me and our family. I receoved a very nice gift. The words will always be there for me to read as this card is with my most precious memories that I have kept in my dresser drawer.
Nancy@IW says
February 13, 2012 at 6:26 pmI’m now praying that he doesn’t forget!!!! LOL! What a follow up story that would be!
Snickers — what a great story! I want to know more about that chocolate bread. Yum!
Happy anniversary, Mo! Nothing wrong with staying at home! I’m putting out the valentine placemats now! 🙂
Adele says
February 13, 2012 at 6:45 pmYears ago when my son was just a little boy his dad made me a homemade card out of our son’s construction paper with cut out hearts and such. When I opened up the card out popped a heart on a spring. I was so touched and pleased…even the spring was handmade out of a piece of wire. Many Valentines Days later this is still my favorite present.
stxmom says
February 13, 2012 at 7:21 pmA love letter would be a great gift. Something to treasure forever.
My husband sent me flowers, they are beautiful and smell heavenly. I bought him a box of his favorite chocolates. We have no special supper planned, we will be lucky if we even see each other before bedtime. We are boring.
Momsby Jones says
February 13, 2012 at 7:54 pmThat is such a nice idea Nancy! We’ve never really celebrated V-Day in a big way in my family..even growing up. Maybe because both my siblings birthday’s are close to the 15th, we now celebrate 4family BD’s in Feb.
My husband also didn’t celebrate it at all when he was growing up. So we’ve had to ease him in gradually. I just realized while reading this we have never written each other a true love note before..although I was planning on the usual token card & a box of chocolates, I’m going to write one for him.
It might be too late to ask him to write one for me..but our Anniversery is coming up
I like to tease my husband that he’s cheap when he grumbles about it being a materialistic holiday..he can kind of see his point, when he says “Do we really need a holiday to say I love you, when we say it everyday already”. I always reply “No but it’s nice to take the time to really think about the things we love about each other & appreciate. A hand written love note should be able to do that quite nicely 🙂
Roozerdo says
February 14, 2012 at 6:17 amOne week ago, I was being airlifted to Hospital to save my life. I had a Heart Attack. So, This Valentine Day is more special than any other I have ever had. To be able to open my eyes and see my Husband standing there was/is my gift.
JENNIE: I love your profile Pic. Sooo cute. Is that your puppy?
Mo says
February 14, 2012 at 7:12 amHappy Valentines Day!!!
Pam@IW says
February 14, 2012 at 7:33 amRoozerdo,
So sorry to hear that and so glad that you are ok. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a continuing speedy recovery.
Pam@IW says
February 14, 2012 at 7:34 amGreat post, Nancy. I think these kind of gifts are the best present a husband or wife can give each other.
Pam@IW says
February 14, 2012 at 7:35 amHappy Valentines Day to everyone!
snickers says
February 14, 2012 at 7:42 amHappy Valentines Day Everyone! I have chocolate bread baking, mmmmm.
Nancy, Paula Dean has a recipe for choc. bread, just google. It is yummy, but I only make it once a year. I have an old recipe from Betty Crocker that I have used for years. Enjoy!
Sending healing thoughts to Roo.
Samantha@IW says
February 14, 2012 at 12:43 pmHappy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Roo- sorry to hear about your health problems but so glad you are okay!
Nancy, a love letter is a great idea. I know its something I would treasure forever.
Snickers….. chocolate bread. Two of my favorite things- together 🙂
Shawn says
February 14, 2012 at 2:51 pmValentines Day is not a big deal in our house, although I did get a beautiful box of Godivas this morning 🙂
I will make my hubby a plate of his favorite brownies and place them in a heart tin. Maybe I will include a love note. 🙂
Lily@IW says
February 14, 2012 at 3:41 pmA very special Happy Valentines to Roozerdo!
Anya@IW says
February 14, 2012 at 8:52 pmHappy Valentine’s Day to all. Sorry, I’m a bit late. Nancy, your piece warmed my heart. I thought of the way people used to write letters and they would become keepsakes for years to come and passed down to future generations. I’m not sure how that is going to work now that we all communicate by text and email. There’s something special and unique about putting pen to paper and writing to the one you love. Aw….
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Momsby… ”. I always reply “No but it’s nice to take the time to really think about the things we love about each other & appreciate.
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Exactly!
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Roozerdo, I’m so sorry to hear this news, but glad to hear you made it through and and are feeling well enough to post. Like Pam, I hope your recovery moves along smoothly and quickly. <3 ….Oh and I'm sure Jennie will be more than happy to discuss her profile picture! LOL. Stay tuned.
JennieIW says
February 14, 2012 at 10:42 pmRoozerdo, oh my goodness, I hope you’re well on the way to recovery! How scary!
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I *wish* that were my puppy. Anya is MEAN. She, and all the other people in my life, have conspired to keep me from my truest love…the FENNEC FOX! I want one, but blah blah blah illegal blah blah blah not really a domestic animal blah blah blah hoards food and can burrow forty feet under fences. #MEAN!
Momsby Jones says
February 15, 2012 at 6:38 amRoozerdo Yes this must have been an extra special Love Day for you & your family.
Thinking of you & sending you lots of positive healing thoughts!
Jennie, I’m sorry I think I might have to agree your family! I’ve never heard of a Fennec Fox, but I he reminds of a Gremlin..& you know what happened there. LOL
Roozerdo says
February 15, 2012 at 7:18 amA big HEART thank you for all the well wishes. As my girlfriend says “it’s great to be Vertical” LOL.
Jennie, At first glance, that Picture looked a lot like my little “Odie” with those big pointed ears and little tiny body. Never heard of a Fennec Fox. WOW I guess looks CAN be decieving, sure doesn’t look mean. Bless his heart….
CoCoPuff says
February 15, 2012 at 7:52 amI can relate Roozerdo, I did not have a heart attack but I did have open heart surgery to replace a valve over 6 months ago.
It is one of life’s greatest moments to wake up and see your loved ones by your bed side. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery : )
You see LIFE in a whole new light!
***
I did not get a love letter, but close enough ~LOL
My card to my Husband ~I wrote that I Love him more today then I did our first Valentines day more then 23 years ago. And the card he gave to me he wrote~ Through the years I’ve grown more in love with you. I can say ~ I had a very memorable Valentines Day!
Momsby Jones says
February 15, 2012 at 8:04 amAwe, CoCo..that is beautiful 🙂
How many years have you been married?
Glad to hear you’re recovery is progressing well, wow has it been 6months already?
It’s great to “see” you again, I’ve missed you! Especially, your posts that would make me LMAO 🙂
Jennie@IW says
February 16, 2012 at 1:23 pmFennec foxes are the souls of sweetness. Those who want to keep me separate from them are MEAN! (Just to be clear.)
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Anya is right about one thing; I *can* go on about my love of fennec foxes. That and Fiestaware.