Post Valentine's Day

I love this man!  And he's going to hate me for digging out this picture!

Yesterday marked Wes and I's 14-year dating anniversary.  Wow!  We're getting old!  I reminded him that 14 years ago we were heading to a hockey game (of a now defunct team), after having eaten a restaurant that we haven't eaten at since.  He brought me a single red rose in what we aptly called a "disco box" and we were both so nervous we hardly spoke.  He dropped me off (we were on a double date) and nothing was said about the future.  Thanks to a much more aggressive, pushy friend, she called the boys back and told them we had a good time and were sad they just dropped us off.  Several months later, we were officially an item and the rest is history. 

Fast forward many years and my has Valentine's Day changed.  What used to be the holiday that got my heart all a flutter and caused my stomach to fill with butterflies is now a day where we reflect on the past, thank each other for the present, and look forward to the future.  Any day geared towards celebrating love is a good day but the fanfare and expectations greatly diminish the longer you're married.  A fellow blogger had a cute post today about Valentine's Day for married people.  As I told her, the fact that your significant other remembers the holiday is all you need (or at least personally speaking).

I'm not one to demand special attention on this day.  I prefer surprises.  Surprises on the 3rd Wednesday of the 2nd week in some random month.  Totally unplanned.  Totally unexpected.  Wes knows he's not to buy me flowers on Valentine's Day even though he says that goes against the man handbook of what to do.  Now, because I'm becoming cheaper and cheaper by the day, I've told him he doesn't even have to get me a card.  Since I didn't get him one this year, he said that was his go-ahead to cease his obligation as well.  I've rubbed off on him because even he said it was a scam.

So what did we do?  I got him a subscription to The Bourbon Review (suggested by a fellow KY blogger).  Kids make you drink.  The end.

He made me...a mix tape (er, cd).  You must understand the lengths at which he went to make said cd.  He got the idea after we enjoyed some nice 90's r&b at a local restaurant on Saturday night.  I'm not one to pay attention to background noise, especially music, but this mix was rockin'!  It was totally up my alley and I was literally singing along to every song.  He commented that this was my kind of music and I agreed.  Little did I know those wheels were turning.

So he comes home early from work to make me his own rendition of a 90's mix tape.  Seriously girls (because I don't think there are any men who would have read this far), that's thoughtful.  That's what being together for 14 years is all about.  Taking the time to think outside the Hallmark box and give a gift that not only keeps on giving but actually means something and took some thought.  I am a lucky, lucky girl.

Did I mention I have always wanted a boy to make me a mix tape?  Back when that was cool, I used to fantasize about which songs I would want and who I'd want to give it to me.  Somehow Wes managed to put at least 2 of my all-time favorites on there (Boyz II Mean, I love you!).

In case you're inspired to make your own mix tape, in the new millennium we refer to it as a play list,  there's actually a website dedicated to just that - MixTape.    

By the way, did you know Tony Roma's is the most romantic restaurant in Lexington?  Apparently it is.  We attempted to go there this weekend, forgetting it was Valentine's weekend, and at 5:30, there was an hour wait!  I thought we were the only ones who ate that early?  We quickly realized we had forgotten the holiday, as all the couples were staring us toting 2 kids.  Nothing says I love you like a big plate of ribs!