I want nothing from my husband on Valentine’s Day.
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t turn down roses or a card or anything. I guess I mean I don’t need anything from my husband on Valentine’s Day.
That’s because he makes me feel loved, needed, wanted and appreciated all year long. That sounds hokey, I know. He’s no saint, believe me, but he brings home flowers for no particular reason, buys me athletic socks after overhearing me mumbling about the holes in mine, and the words “I love you” roll off his tongue pretty regularly.
There have been periods of time over the years when I’ve felt lonely, under-appreciated, taken for granted maybe. If that went on very long, you can bet I’d be tapping my foot on my birthday or Valentine’s Day, expecting some tangible proof that he’d thought about me. And it better not be from a Seven-Eleven, either.
There are also bad Valentine’s Day gifts, as I’m sure you know. One year, he brought home a big box of chocolates and I wanted to throw them at his head.
Why? Because I’d been fighting a hard battle with about twenty pounds of post-baby cargo I had just begun making headway on losing The last thing I needed was a box of chocolates I would plow through without even sitting down first. That was no gift. It was an assault.
Which brings me to the question of what makes a good gift, for Valentine’s Day or any day. My theory is it should be personalized, something your loved one noticed about you, only you, a secret wish or a longed-for treat.
What do you think about celebrating Valentine’s Day and gifts and cards? What was your best Valentine’s Day? What made it that way?
In honor of the holiday, I’m giving away a few books. Tell me your Valentine’s Day tale and you’ll be part of my drawing.
May you have the Valentine’s Day of your dreams.
Best,
Dawn Atkins
www.dawnatkins.com
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My husband of 32 years and I both hate to shop so we forgo any gifts.
My best Valentine’s Day gift was my S-I-L offering to babysit our then 4 young children. My husband and I just had a day to do what ever we wanted to. It was GREAT! The kids loved it too. They went to a rink for ice skating and then out to Chucky Cheeses. They had a wonderful treat day too!
Good Morning Dawn! I would have to say that our best Valentine’s Day was 6 or 7 years ago. It was when my Husband wass stationed in Albany, GA. We drove up to my sisters house in SC. She kept my son, since we only had him at the time, for two days while my hubby and I stayed in near by hotel. We spent the days with them, but had romantic nights together. It was wonderful! Our second best was two years ago. We signed the mortgage papers for our first house on Valentines. It was awesome and then my hubby topped it off with roses and a diamond heart necklace for me. This year we are celebrating a day early. My SIL is coming over tomorrow to watch the three kids so we can do dinner and a movie.
As for favorite gifts, I like the ones you put some thought into. Something personalized or that you know the other person really wants and will love.
Have a great day. And Happy Valentine’s Day!! (F) (*)
(L) My best Valentine’s Day was the last one that I spent with my childhood sweetheart. We hadn’t been sweethearts for years, but had remained close friends. We decided on a whim to be each other’s Valentine date. He brought me a rose and chocolates, and I gave him some nice cologne. We had dinner and went to a movie. We talked and talked and talked. Friends, not lovers. A few years later, he passed away. He was only 37. Still blonde, blue-eyed, handsome and funny. Still my friend.
One of my favorites was in high school. The junior class raised money by selling carnations that were delivered on Valentine’s Day. The popular girls always had an armful and smart girls who weren’t so popular bought one for themselves so they wouldn’t be without. It wasn’t my favorite time. But when the carnations arrived that Valentine’s Day, I was shocked to get a big bunch–big enough that it attracted attention all day. My boyfriend had bought them for me even though I hadn’t said a word. I married him four years later. (L)
I am not really big on Valentine’s day, but one sticks out in my mind. Years ago I was a preschool teacher and this one three year old made me a paper flower as a valentine gift… it was such a wonderful gift. Instead of those little Valentine cards, she wanted to make something special and it was the best and memorable gift ever! (F)
These are GREAT stories, brought tears to me eyes. Thanks for sharing, ladies.
Dawn
I can honestly say that I’ve never been a huge fan of V-day. Why save one day for showing your love when you can do it everyday? Too much pressure and price mark-ups for the actual holiday. Why do gifts again so soon after the holiday insanity? Bah humbug.
But I have to also admit that DH has slowly chipped away at my resistance, so I’m not quite so much anti-V-day anymore. Still not my favorite holiday, but I can enjoy it. We don’t do gifts, but we might do a special dinner sometime near the 14th. There is a girls’ hockey tournament all weekend, so we’re going to be attending a few games. I’m donating cupcakes for the concession stand, so I’ll concede and make them pink, maybe with a few red sprinkles for the kids. If there is any snow left after all this rain, we’ll head up the hill to play some snowshoe softball on Sunday afternoon. And we’ll hopefully be watching some fantastic athletes compete in the Olympics!!
I will admit, I love getting flowers on V-day, and hubby never disappoints. He always takes great care in picking out a card (or so he tells me) wanting to convey what he feels, that means so much. Just cuddling up at home with a bottle of wine with him is enough for me. Thankfully, he’s pretty free with the hugs and kisses all year, so V-day is just the icing on the cake! (L)
There aren’t very many restaurants where we live, and the ones we have are mostly fast food. My best valentine’s gift was an IOU for a nice dinner when we next went out of town to the city.
Valentine’s Day is a good excuse to have a nice dinner.
I’ve been single a long time which means Valentines Day is just another day! When the grandkids were younger I sent them Valentine cards but they are old enough now it isn’t to big a deal to them. If I were in a relationship I do like some acknowledgement that I am special to that person but what is really great is flowers for no reason or just being shown that “he” cares me about everyday by doing little things and making me feel special. (L) (F)
Whatever you are doing having a great weekend. (L) (F)
Since I’m single, Valentine’s Day doesn’t really mean much to me. However, this year my aunt and uncle are taking me to the theater to see The Drowsy Chaperone for Valentine’s Day and brunch before the show, so it will be a fun day. I did have a high school boyfriend send me a dozen red roses when I had the flu on Valentine’s Day one year. I thought it was really sweet and still am friends with him to this day.
I’m a single gal (and have been for many V Days) so I’m not a big fan of this holiday. I think people should do special things everyday of the year, not just one. One of my more memorable celebrations was all my fellow single friends and me getting together at my place watching horror movies based on Valentine’s Day. We drank copious amounts of wine and ate tons of cheesecake. We also played the game of life and all of us did booing when we got to the marriage space on the board.
I have never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day, if you don’t have that special someone you can feel like a fish out of water. I however, don’t feel that way. I have my daughter’s and grandkids. They are what makes Valentine’s Day for me. The kids always make me cards and we usually have a fun day. I always look forward to the kids excitement when they receive their cards and gifts. I can’t wait.
Yep, being single on Valentine’s Day can be annoying, for sure. That was an element in the Flipside I wrote years back, A PERFECT LIFE?, which was fun. I remember in high school longing for someone to surprise me with a card or flowers and admit a secret love…no such luck.
Thanks for your comments, everyone!
Congratulations! I have a Valentine’s Day gift for four of you–one of my books:
Laurie G,
Karyn Gerard
Linda Henderson
Cathy W.
Check out my backlist at http://www.dawnatkins.com, email me your street address and two of my backlist you’d like to read and I’ll send one of them to you. (There are a few I don’t have any spare copies of.)
Thanks,
Dawn Atkins
Congrats to the lucky ladies! Enjoy! (F)
Wow, thanks, Dawn!!! I’ll head over and take a look.
(L)
Thank you Dawn. I’m heading off to work start at 7AM. I will send you my email by tomorrow morning.
Thank you so much, I’ve sent you my information.
Thrilled to death Dawn, I sent my info as well!
Received it! Thanks again, Dawn! And yes, I will be happy to share the book with another reader.