It’s Valentine’s Day!
Again.
Bill told me when we married he did not believe in Valentine’s Day.
Still, after so many years, I wake up hoping.
And on this day, once again, there is no card, no candy and no flowers.
Bill claims it is a “Hallmark Holiday”, and also a Catholic holiday (Saint Valentine you know).
And he is not Catholic.
Please – no pity – I find other diversions when my friends tell me about their tokens of love on this special day.
I am very good at convincing myself that when Bill builds a warm cozy fire in our wood stove, it is a testament to his love and commitment.
Or when he puts all the dishes away before I can get to them, it is better than flowers.
Or when he keeps asking how my BigFoot is doing and gently touches to see if it is still swollen, that is sweeter than candy.
And when he invites me out to dinner to a special place – even on this Catholic holiday – it is a finer tribute than a Hallmark card.
We are dining tonight with friends at Virginia’s Natural Bridge Hotel Dining Room where there is – guess what –
A Valentine’s Day Special!
I can’t wait to dress up tonight and wear my heart on my sleeve for my non-Catholic boy who doesn’t believe in Valentines Day. A diamond would be nice though. Hmmmm! I wonder if he thought of that.

Natural Bridge Hotel Dining Room. Image from tripadvisor.com

A Storied Place. The Natural Bridge Park Historic Hotel