On the first Valentine's Day I celebrated with my now-husband, we didn't make any advance plans and foolishly walked into one of the city's most romantic restaurants without a reservation. We ended up eating Indian food up the street, after striking out on a half-dozen other cozy eateries. Not the most romantic evening, but it had the silver lining of being an affordable date night.
Since then we've learned. I have no idea what he has planned for this coming Valentine's Day, but he's arranged a babysitter and I'm guessing that no Tandoori will be involved. Sure, it's a made-up Hallmark holiday, but we parents need any excuse we can get to remember that we're in love -- it's too easy to become little more than partners in the business of running our household and rearing our children.
And of course, we haven't forgotten about the kids on Valentine's Day. I've got their cards ready and the time blocked out on my work calendar for the class holiday party. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?
Photo credit: Getty Images
Follow me on Twitter | Join my LinkedIn Group | Connect with me on Facebook
More:
I have a similar story with a bit of a twist. My husband and I were contemplating taking advantage of a “Valentine’s Special” dinner advertised by a local French restaurant on a sidewalk placard weeks before the day. We discussed whether to try the restaurant and decided yes, but I procrastinated stopping in to make the reservation on my daily walk. Finally, about 10 days prior to Valentine’s Day, I decided to surprise my husband and make the reservation, but it seemed more convenient to do so online. I surprised him on February 13 by announcing our reservation for the next day. We walked about half a mile from our home on deserted sidewalks on a very cold night February 14 down to the restaurant. When we arrived, the maitre d’ said we were not listed among the reservations for that night. We were so upset, wondering whether we were simply being treated badly by an overbooked restaurant. Very miffed, we walked back home in the wind and halfway home I realized the error. What I had thought was our local French restaurant’s website was actually the website of a NYC restaurant. (I had recalled they listed a NYC phone number.) When I then called the restaurant in New York to cancel our reservation, they wanted t o charge me $100 to cancel–Surely, they would have walk-in patrons on Valentine’s Day, I contended. With a fast and sincere explanation and some cajoling, I escaped the charge to my credit card!
Oops–I forgot the best thing about the story–We ended up spending Valentine’ Day at home dining on fresh cod I had bought for the next night, by candlelight and with music. A very cozy evening, and every Valentine’s Day since has been wonderful – a special and simple meal in a very romantic setting — home!