a love letter

Dear Valentines' Day,

I have to admit that I never expected a lot from you this year. My plan included a night in jammies, a couple of chic flicks, and some of mom's famous pink frosted sugar cookie hearts. Instead, you threw in some awkward surprises, including a Spanish singles' dance, where almost every guy is no taller than 5'3 and speaks little english. Well, at least every guy I danced with, which by the end of the night was not many, due to my persistence in making NO eye contact and keeping myself tucked away in the back, on a chair, with Soo Jean's purse and coat on my lap. I was tired, okay? And taller than 5'3.

Oh, and while we're on the topic of Soo Jean, who absolutely LOVED every second of every minute of it (the dance) . . .I couldn't help but feel slightly satisfied to watch her enjoy the twirling & 1,2 step and hardly sit in her seat due to a high demand of hispanic suitors asking for her hand. I loved watching her laugh and dance and look at me excitedly and giggle as she was thrown across the floor by her many suitors. I was so happy for my friend and wished the night could continue on for her . . .but it couldn't. Because I was tired, grumpy, and needed to get back to my original Valentines' Day plans of doing nothing.

Which was interrupted again by little T, who had big dreams and visions of decorating the house the next day and making a luxurious meal for the fam. The poor thing was filled up on antibiotics after a week of sickness, so I decided she needed a buddy and I would volunteer for the job. T was so patient as I slowly got out of bed, ran on the treadmill, ate some lunch, watched some Office and Modern Family, chatted with some friends on FB and finally got in the shower and dressed up in my V-day attire. By 6:00 pm, I was ready to finally go to the store for decor and food. I found that T and medicine make for an interesting trip out (her zombie-ness presented an opportunity for wierd looks and unsure smiles, with people running around the corner whispering to each other "I didn't know they had their Halloween stuff out yet?")

After the food and games, I'm thinkin' FINALLY I might be able to get a movie in. My plan was confirmed when a good friend remembered a $20 gift certificate to Blockbuster- yes! Unfortunetely, the store was closing in 10 minutes, forcing us to grab one of the first we see . . .My Life in Ruins. Don't mock, it was the first we saw and wanting to be good customers, we made a quick decision and stuck with it. 20 minutes into the movie, things weren't too bad, until the pizza and valentines' candy eaten earlier (It's Valentines', why not splurge a little . . .or a lot) started causing discomfort. And, unfortunately, my good friend was still recovering from sickness and started having a hack attack. Once again- plan foibled.

Sunday morning . . . I was woken by the smell of sweet goodness coming from the kitchen. Feeling disappointed by the failed execution of my original V-day plan, I relished in the chocolate waffles, strawberries, and whip cream served on the beautifully red, pink, and white-decorated table. I was welcomed by bright morning sunshine and smiles from both T and mom. Quickly, the fam gathered and gloriously dined. At the end of the day, I would think back on this moment, on the RS lesson I taught on the Savior later in the afternoon, and the YSA fireside held that night, where the speaker so eloquently advised on what to do to find greater success, happiness, and love in life. Feeling so blessed for the love I do have and faith in more love to be had in the future, I closed the day with a feeling of contentment and gladness.

Dearest Valentines' Day, I guess the joke's on me. Thinking the holiday would be full of "filler" acitivities to distract myself from the glaring, obvious fact that I, myself, have no valentine of my own, I am now grateful for the love that I did experience this weekend and the recognition of so many valentines that do exist in my life.

So, thanks jokester.