This Friday is Valentine’s Day. I learned many years ago what needs to be done for this day.
I’ve done different things, but there are some basics that have become entrenched in my mind that are a must.
One is, order the flowers early. Not just any flowers, but roses. There are options to colors. At least for my wife By ordering at least a week in advance, I have those options. There are a couple of colors in particular my wife enjoys.
You can’t go wrong with red, but after so many years that color can become a little monotonous.
So this year, I told the florist, who I have known for many, many years, to mix red and a certain color of orange After all, Valentine’s Day is just one of the days throughout each year that I get to send flowers. There is her birthday, Mother’s Day and of course, our wedding anniversary.
I came close to messing more 20 years ago and forgot to send them on our wedding anniversary day. It was a Saturday and so I had to scramble to make sure it happened.
This year I have the flowers coming to our house in the afternoon. She now prefers to have them at the house to enjoy after she gets home from work.
Experience has taught me to sign the card that accompanies the flowers. My wife knows my handwriting and with me doing it, it’s much more personal.
Picking out the Valentine’s card can be a challenge for some reason. I used to always select something romantic or serious. After being together as long as we have, something funny or on the lighter seems to be better with her.
Again, Valentine’s is not the only day of the year I get cards for Pat. It’s better to spread the serious and romantic side around with the funny and lighter I have found.
For years, off and on, we’ve gone out to eat that night. Making reservations can sometimes be a hassle. This year, due to unforeseen circumstances due to our daughter’s cancer and Pat’s need to be with her, she won’t get home to much later.
What I have learned is that going out to dinner now on that night isn’t that big a deal anymore with her. And, after all, that day is really more about her than it is for me anyway.
We will probably do something on Saturday evening instead, weather permitting.
In the past, I’ve also bought chocolates, I’ve even gotten chocolate strawberries.
This will be our 48tht Valentine’s Day to celebrate together somehow. We observed our first one about five months before we were married. I can only hope she enjoys this year’s.