Valentine's Day 2012

Last year for Valentine’s Day, Wayne and I got all gussied up and went out for a romantic dinner at my favorite Spanish restaurant, Bodega. Since Thanksgiving, I’ve kind of stumbled past all the holidays with my eyes half closed, barely being able to acknowledge the holidays as they zoomed by. Christmas! New Years! Chinese New Years! The holidays past by us so quickly that Wayne and I didn’t even get around to putting up our Christmas tree. And when we finally had time to put up the tree, it was the middle of January and nearly Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so it seemed odd to put a Christmas tree for the civil rights leader’s birthday. So this year for Valentine’s Day, I wasn’t expecting any sort of celebration. I actually wanted– quite desperately– to stay home and cuddle and watch the Knicks game while eating take out from my favorite Chinese restaurant. All I wanted was spicy wontons, dan dan noodles, and Linsanity.

But Wayne was very sweet this year. I’m almost pleased for him at how well he did, if succeeding at Valentine’s Day can be an accomplishment. Even though we were both tired from just starting new jobs, he surprised me with a vase of beautiful red tulips and blue irises (am I the only one who is apathetic and de-sensitized to red roses?) and a box of heart-shaped macarons when I got home from work. And then he surprised me with two lovely little rings each with a single letter, a “W” and an “L” for his initials. It’s the sweetest gift I’ve received from him, especially since I love being reminded of him every time I look at my left middle finger. It makes my days a little brighter when we’re apart.