So, am a bit cynical about Valentine's day. I'm really not all that fond of it, frankly. If you remember my Valentine's nightmare from last year, then you know why. There are two things I do like about February 14th, one is Drew has a little neighborhood friend who's birthday is February 14th, and if I was his mommy then I would probably be totally in love with Valentine's Day, for that reason. The other is that my first sonogram for Drew was on February 14th, and that was pretty special. Otherwise, its just the halfway point in the month of February.
Yesterday evening, while all four of us were driving store to store to find the exact Valentine's cards that Drew wanted to take to his class party (I may be cynical, but I'm not mean. I remember what it feels like to need to be cool in school), we pulled into a Hallmark store to check out their particular stash of boxed cards. Looney Tunes is what we were after, ultimately we settled for Snoopy. Anyway, Drew and I went in while Trip and Will waited in the car. Want to see a bunch of panicked people all in one place? Visit a Hallmark store after 7pm on February 13th. Damn. Wall to wall people buying up every card, talking goddamn teddy bear and box of chocolates in sight. You can feel the desperation dripping off everyone, especially the men.
We got back to the car, and Trip says, "We're not getting anything for each other, right?" And I said, "Right! Totally." And guess what? I meant it. Then he said, "And I know you're not going to try to screw me over and actually get me something and then leave me guilty because I got you nothing, right? And then use that as an excuse to go to Pottery Barn?" And I said, "Right! No worries." I remember The Gift of The Magi, thank you.
I will say the one value I find in Valentine's day is the candy the kids bring home. I dig through and remove and hide for myself anything I don't want them to have, like chocolate and gum. I know, I know. I'm a mean mommy, I don't let my kids have gum. I don't find it glued to all my clothes in the dryer or half-chewed on the floorboard of my car either, though. So there.
I was at Hen House this evening and saw similarly stressed men there. I refuse to put my husband through that - he gets enough shit at work as it is. He doesn't need it at home.
Your last year's story cracked me up and stiffened my resolve that I am not ever baking for my kid's events. Ever. I will happily be the "plates n' napkins" mom. Because I canNOT bake, why set myself up for disaster?
Posted by: Cagey | February 14, 2007 at 11:29 PM
I told my husband he didn't need to get me anything either, because all I wanted from him was being happy about 2 ZTA related dinner dates taking place in the same week... (He always thinks they are a chore but then ends up having a great time... I think he just likes to argue :-)
And just in case you were curious:
A long time ago, and for what ever reason, the "church" put a ban on marriages... I don't remember why. So this renegade priest decided he was gonna marry folks in secret anyway... I think he got caught and beheaded or something and so now we celebrate Saint Valentine every year on February 14th...
So you were right when you said it wasn't important enough for us to remember why since I can only remember half of the story and relatively no details :-)
Posted by: Karen in KC | February 15, 2007 at 12:12 PM
I have one gum infused pair of Old Navy sweat pants waiting to be salvaged right now that says you are a very wise woman.
We always make our own valentines: clickmom.typepad.com/weblog/2007/02/post.html
The kids love it and no one ever shows up in school with the same ones.
Posted by: clickmom | February 18, 2007 at 02:13 PM