BELATED HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Sorry! I am a day late. So Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours.

Mine was absolutely one of the best Valentine's I have ever had. It started on Wednesday when I decorated my husband's office, like I do every year. I think I showed you his office last year in a post. It was a great job with pictures from our lives plastered all over his office. I was afraid I could not top last year. Everyone was impressed on how great it was.

So.....this year I even thought about not decorating his office, but then I was afraid everyone at work would think something was wrong. After all, I do it every year and I didn't want them thinking we had marital problems, especially when we don't have any!

Anyway, I started putting up some small Valentine cards I had and strung a string of lights across one wall with some tinsel garland of red. As I was decorating I began to think of ways I could possibly make a great day of Valentine's. I had an empty Italian bottle of wine and stuck a candle in it. Then the day began to take shape. I left him a note with instructions that he was to start the music CD I had for him as a present. It is Chris Botti, Italia. Then at 11:30 I would bring lunch to his office for us to share.

The next day, promptly at 11:30, I arrived with my ice chest and card table in tow. He helped me get everything in and set up. We put up the card table and set it with a red tablecoth and the wine bottle candle. I had brought plates and silverware and my crystal glasses. I had baked potatoes, ribeye steak and salad. I had prepared chocolate covered strawberries. When we were ready, Delores (co-worker in the office next door) came by to ohhh and ahh on what we were having for lunch. We lit the candle and turned out the lights so only the candle and string of lights were on and closed the door! We sat and listened to Chris Botti and talked quietly, enjoying our lunch. It was so relaxing. Delores was given instructions by me to turn anyone away that came toward Tollie's office. She left for lunch and put a large note on Tollie's door "Do Not Distub".

I received a dozen red roses and a message in a bottle. I cried when I read the message.

I can't tell you how relaxing and fun the lunch was. Tollie kept thanking me for the wonderful meal. I had also prepared Lemon Lush for dessert. It was great! So, we both had a wonderful time. I laugh because I think it was partly the secrecy with the door closed that made it so fun! Everyone at his work was jealous.

Later in the afternoon, I received an e-mail from Delores stating that it was so sweet to hear Tollie bragging to his friends on the phone how special the lunch was. She said she was not eaves dropping, but she couldn't help overhearing him. He was talking real loud because he was so excited. That made me smile.

I really had ulterior motives! Usually we go out to eat or eat a big meal at home in the evening and then too full to enjoy a night in bed! (if you know what I mean!) But this time, we had our big meal during lunch so last night was a wonderful time! (if you know what I mean)

I hope you had a great Valentine's. Mine was exceptional!