Valentine's Day Eve

Submitted by on Wed, 02/13/2008

My goodness, can it be Valentine's Day already? I hadn't noticed.....

Ha!

Red and pink Valentine's Day swag is all over the stores, and there is love in the air. Many of our local restaurants and businesses are having special deals for those last minute shoppers (this means you, guys) to insure that your love will not be forgotten this Valentine's Day.

I cannot give away too many details of plans that I've heard about town, but there will be at least one or two proposals, a very enterprising young man from Mayo High School is adopting his sweetheart a kitten from the Darlington County Animal Shelter (awww!), and I hear of many folks making neat "homemade" gifts of mixed music cd's with special cd jackets of photos together. Mama's are making special cupcakes for their little one's school parties, and children have just one more day to make out all those little tiny cards for their classmates.

Advice to all my male friends out there: It's not all about how much money you spend, it's about the effort. You are creating a memory... this is the only holiday that is unabashedly gushy and romantic, have fun and try to be as creative as possible!

1. Do NOT forget to do something tomorrow. The day after just won't do. Having something at her workplace...very good idea.

2. Women like something that is uniquely YOU. They chose you, correct? So, don't do something that is totally out of character. Like...if you are a farmer, it'd be strange for you to put on an uncomfortable suit and take her ballroom dancing if she knows you hate to dance and you'll be tugging at your necktie all night. Planting her some insanely delicious smelling roses, gardenias, etc. is more YOUR style, and she'll love it.

3. Most women, not all, but most love pretty sparkly things.

4. You cannot go wrong with chocolate, but, you'd better find out what kind she likes the best. Most women/young ladies really do like stuffed animals, too....some just don't outgrow that. Books are a great choice too, as are romantic movies like Chocolat, The Notebook, Amelie, When Harry Met Sally, and others.

5. Buy flowers if she loves them, but buy what you can comfortably afford. This won't make me popular with the florists, but, you can buy gorgeous roses in other stores that may suit your wallet a little easier. Just don't forget to take the price sticker off and all that dumb plastic wrap; if you can get some real satin ribbon to tie around them, even better.

6. A handwritten love letter or card will be saved forever.

7. Find a romantic poem by her favorite poet if she has one, and copy it for her in your very own handwriting, adding that you feel exactly the same way about her. This can be done with a favorite song, too... some song lyrics really are beautiful!

8. Extra points for singing a song to her, even if you cannot sing! On second thought, maybe try the mix cd idea.... or purchase a cd of her favorite singer.

Do you have a romantic wedding proposal to share? This is one from last year that was pretty neat, Once Upon a Time......and that happy couple ended up marrying in October and moving all the way to Texas together and doing fantastic in their new life together.

What are your special ideas to celebrate this romantic holiday?