VDay — by Guest Mom Liz Fuller

The first thing I want to tell you about myself is that I am generally not a materialistic person, even though this story will make you think differently.

My first Valentine’s Day with this great guy (who ended up becoming my husband) was a learning experience. He made secret plans that kept my heart leaping all week, imagining the most romantic thoughts a girl could muster.

We travel from our respective homes early one morning to a town further north. We are going to stay with his sister, her husband and their new baby. Not quite what I was expecting. I must admit, it was nice to feel I was important enough in his life to have her meet me. I have to also add she’s pretty cool, so it was never awkward and their hospitality was top notch.

The next morning he tells me the plans: FOUR WHEEL DRIVING in his jeep. Oh, how the romance is killing me. Surely, I thought, there has to be more. Well, there is, just not for me. We get back to his sister’s home to see a dozen beautiful roses sitting on the coffee table in a vase. But they aren’t for me, they are the sister’s. I stare at them all weekend with my dusty pants and wind-blown hair.

I know there was dinner, but I don’t remember where or what I ate. I was too focused on the roses that weren’t mine to appreciate his company. I took for granted his efforts of being my Unusual Valentine.

BUT this week isn’t about my lesson learned. After the trip we had a conversation. Yes, the ‘flowers die’ argument was raised, but I fought back with the emotional “they really are a warm gift every girl enjoys getting”. Ever since my Valentine has come through for me and his creative ways inspired the ideas I will share with you this week.