Every year close to Vday, we would go down in Nanny's basement and she would pull out a little Valentine from the 1930s that she sent as a young girl to her Dad--a man known as a "wanderer,"roaming the country, finding odd jobs. This colorful little card signed "To Daddy, Love Mary" had the fun message "Don't say skee daddle when I say I love you!" She'd share the story with me and I always loved the fact that she'd saved this card after so many years--one of the special memories she had of her often absent father. She always loved Valentine's Day. Each year, until she passed away almost 3 years ago, she would send me a Valentine.
I suppose it's these disjointed, yet fond memories that leave me excitedly purchasing white doilie cutouts and oodles of conversation hearts.
This year, I was excited about Valentine's day, but for a different, new reason. It would be Lucy's first Vday. I've been prepared for over a year, having purchased the mandatory "Baby's First" bib for this occasion. Sometimes I'm certain that those greeting card holiday manufacturers are also in cahoots with the baby bib makers. The next thing you know, there will be bibs for "Baby's First Summer Solstice," etc.
Of course Lucy's school also went all out for the celebration. Though I complained about having to put together Valentine cards for the infants--yes all of the infants in her class exchanged cards...In fact a few of the mothers even went the extra mile wrapping up little bags of biter biscuits--I secretly reveled in it. I was thrilled to go through her little bag of Valentine's signed by the parents of her little friends. And her teachers had even put together a Valentine with her picture on it for us. So sweet!
Until last week though, I hadn't really given much thought to what we would do to celebrate Lucy's first Vday. A close friend of mine always spends Valentine's Day with her husband and kids. She makes dinner (complete with a heart-shaped meatloaf), and sets a formal table with Valentine decorations. Over the years, they have created a special occassion that they look forward to year after year. And now, I've stolen her idea (Thanks, Linda!).
This year, we invited our friend, Kirbie, to join us for dinner. I put Lucy's Vday bib on, set the table, hung my heart-shaped doilies, and broke out the "real" dishes. No, we didn't have champagne, but we drank out of our flutes anyway. As we ate, I had one of those moments of joy, the moments where I feel a squeal about to escape my lips but I stifle it for fear of scaring those next to me. Lucy ate her organic winter squash (might I add in her new highchair purchased on Vday) while we dined. After putting Luce to bed, Kirbie and I sat on stools in the kitchen, dipping strawberries, bananas, and pretzels into the most decadent chocolate fondue you can imagine. Later, we joined Jamie in watching a documentary on Appalachia. At close to midnight, Kirbie headed home and we went up to bed. As I lay there, almost asleep with Lucy's little feet against my elbow, Poods at my feet and one hand touching Jamie's hand I thought, "What a perfect Valentine's Day."
Yes, I know some people would be horrified at the thought of such a night. And perhaps I used to be one of them. Not go out for Valentine's Day? No flowers and chocolate? No dressing up and dining out?
But our day was perfect. What could be better than sumptuous chocolate, conversation with good friends, and snuggles from a magical little baby girl? Not much, I say.
1 comment:
Sounds perfect to me! Except...I don't think I'd want to share the bed with a baby on Vday. :)
Post a Comment