My Favorite Valentine's Day

Sorry I've been absent a few days. Visitors at work and prepping for a 5 day vacation has my schedule all thrown off!

So onto Valentine's day. . . 

I dated a guy for six and a half years - through the end of high school, all of college, and a year after - and I have no recollection of a memorable Valentine's day at all (sad, I know).

When I think of Valentine's day I think of 2 things. First, how I had either the flu or pinkeye for the school Valentine's day party 3 years in a row (I was a pretty sickly child). And second, the year my dad gave me a gift. 

A little background about my dad. He is what you would call a "workaholic." He worked long hours, and had a pager on him at all times. Every night after dinner he was on the phone in his office. He was, and is, a fantastic father, but he never was one of the dads who helped around the house, or coached the t-ball team. My mom was supermom - she did everything in the house, was involved in every school activity possible, and handled the gifts for all occasions. 

I have no idea how old I was, but I'm thinking 4 or 5. I woke up Valentine's day morning to a cosmetic bag with a bow sitting on my dresser. I vividly remember opening it up and revealing the treasures, including some awesome Tinkerbell perfume and makeup.

(source)

Remember this stuff??

And best of all, there was YELLOW nail polish inside! For whatever reason, I had been wanting yellow nail polish for a very long time. To my 4 year-old self this gift was everything I had ever wanted.

I bolted into my parents room and said, "Look what I got," immediately heading towards my mom to show her. I remember she was in the bathroom getting ready, and dad was still laying in bed. She inspected each thing and told me how lucky I was. Then she read the card that was in the bag, and said, "Stephanie, this is from Daddy!" 

Well that changed everything. I never got anything just from Daddy. I remember jumping on the bed and giving him the biggest hug, smiling from ear to ear. I remember laying there watching the news with him and telling him I was the luckiest girl to have a Daddy like him. It was perfect.

And about 20 years later, I was recounting this event with my mom, and she proceeded to tell me that she got that for me, and just signed the card from Daddy. I was crushed! I really thought he had the idea to get me something for Valentine's day many years ago. She responded with, "I don't think he had any idea I was doing it." Which obviously makes things worse. And as I told her she destroyed my memory of that day, she laughed and said, "Steph, this is your dad we're talking about. You should know better!" I agreed with her, and then told her not to tell me the truth about my memories anymore. 

What's your favorite Valentine's day? 



Do you have pets? Are your pets your babies like mine are to me? Join the linkup tomorrow for "Pets are People Too"  with Jackie. I will be posting about my baby Kal-El (I figured you have already heard a lot about Cooper). Be sure to link up and tell a story about your pet!