My Fav V-Day

Scott and I started dating-ish in March of 2004, so by the time our first Valentine's Day rolled around we had already been together for almost a year, had actually already been engaged for four months, and were only two months away from our wedding. What can I say? When you know, you know. So I think we were kind of excited when V-day 2005 rolled around to finally celebrate the day with each other. The problem was that Valentine's Day fell on a Monday and I was working at my job at the church where we had our high school program, Signulls on Monday nights. No dinner date for us. And I did lunch visits to good ol' Westlake High on Mondays, so no v-day lunch date either. In fact, the way things were playing out, we probably wouldn't see each other at all. We were both disappointed, but I just played it off like I didn't care and I think we may have celebrated the weekend before or something. I actually don't remember. Ha!
But what I do remember was scheming up a brilliant, romantic, surprise breakfast plan for that Valentine's morning. Scott was living at his childhood home (his parents had already moved out to the lake, so they weren't there) and had just started his job. I decided to surprise him at his house and cook breakfast for him so we could eat together before he went to work. I pulled up in the pitch-black "morning" about 5:30 so I could wake him up early, have time to cook, and eat before he needed to leave. I knew the code to the garage so I opened the garage door and as quietly as I could, dropped all my stuff off in the kitchen. Without turning on a single light, I felt my way through the dark creepy house and headed silently upstairs to his room.
As I tip-toed slowly down the upstairs hallway, the floor boards creaked a couple of times. I stopped only to continue my journey once I knew everything was remaining dark and silent. I fumbled a little trying to get his bedroom door open in the dark, which also creaked a little. I paused again and then took my first couple of steps into his room. Now, it never once occurred to me that this might totally freak Scott out. Shrug. But all of the sudden Scott jerked up and in the deepest, scariest, most threatening voice I've ever heard come out of him yelled, "Who is it?!?! Who's in here?!?" He totally scared me to death, so I screamed and then started saying over and over, "It's me! It's just me!" He replied with an obvious frustration and fear, "Who?!" By this time I had jumped onto his bed with him and was trying to quickly remedy the situation before I mistakenly got punched in the face. (While unsuccessfully suppressing my laughter.)
The poor guy's heart was pounding about 250 beats a minute, and I think it still took him several minutes to come out of his groggy state and realize it was just me, the love of his life, who broke into his house in the dark while he was sleeping to surprise attack him. He later told me he had woken up by the floor creaking and was laying in bed with his back to the door devising his defense plan for the intruder he kept hearing. He slowly rolled over and watched through the moonlight as the attacker opened his bedroom door and got closer and closer to his bed. Creepy!!! Bless his heart! The things he puts up with! My idea had looked so good on paper. But it didn't play out as the sweet, soft, stroking his hair wake-up call I intended.
I semi-jokingly tell Scott all the time that I add so much pizazz to his life. And without my spice to throw him off kilter every now and then, his life would be so boring.  Good thing I'm married to the most patient, understanding person on the planet. Who puts up with my bad ideas, irrational moments, and good intentions. Who follows me around cleaning up my messes and who works his butt off to take care of me. I'm glad he's hung in there to love me. When he never knows what's around the corner for him. And he's surprisingly delighted to do so!
This year's V-day kicked off around 4:45 a.m. when a certain wheezy little boy joined us in our bed and coughed in our faces for 2 hours. But he also gave out lots of sweet back rubs and "I love yous" so maybe that makes up for it. Scott and I just snuggled up and laughed that apparently rough, early mornings are our Valentine's tradition. Fun.
Perhaps needless to say, Valentine's Day has kind of become the ho-hum hallmark holiday that breaks up the six weeks between mine and Scott's birthdays. We actually hate fighting the downtown crowds, rushed reservations, and the obligatory flowers/candy/cards that surround V-day. This year's plan includes the boys of our family cooking up an awesome dinner for the girls they love. And I have to say, the best thing about Valentine's Day for me is that my husband is modeling and teaching our son to excitedly honor and serve the girl you love. Year-round. And maybe I'll teach Harper the best (and worst) breaking and entering techniques.

Our 5 year wedding anniversary: April 30, 2010