Sunday, February 14, 2010

You Smiled Back

It can seem like a very silly holiday.  Especially if you factor in the balloon bouquets and carnation teddy bears at the local big box or the footie hoodie commercials on the little black box.  But, I think there are enough of us out there that have a deep-seated romantic penchant that likes to peek out every once in awhile, if for no other reason than to sustain its existence.
I know that with two teenage boys in the house, romance is on my list, oh let’s see…never.  Now if you want to talk about them doing their laundry or getting their bedroom floors visible, that turns me on.  Date nights?  Our last date was a Friday night disaster: it was a fast dinner and a walk around Wally World that was totally sandwiched in between homecoming football game drop-off and pick-up.
Married to the reality of life with my two darling, albeit messy, sons, is the deep-seated routine of sharing a life with the same man for all these years and sharing 24 Valentines.  There’s a lot of poetry in living life and loving your mate through time.  Life doesn’t come with everyday lace hearts and Belgian chocolates.  Somewhere, though, along the path of moves and sugar cookies and soccer games, something organic and rich grows.  My life and our love is richer and deeper and fuller than I could ever have predicted.
Steve and I met January, 1984, in the dimly lit lobby of Cathcart Hall.  He was the new guy in town.  We become fast friends and I liked that new sassy sweet red-headed Yankee.  I think a part of me knew then that he would someday be mine.

“WHEN I SAW YOU I FELL IN LOVE, AND YOU SMILED BECAUSE YOU KNEW.” WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Thanks, baby, for the smiles, and the tears, and the life that we live, and the love in the years.
We Are Best Valentines ~ Valentines Day 
Sketch Credit: Scrapbook Generation http://scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com
Paper: Crate Paper
Font: Pacifico