Happy Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day: it's either a day you love or view with much cynicism. I am a cynic at heart. Before I started dating Garfield, I can't tell how many times I have rolled my eyes and sighed in exasperation at my timeline flooded with roses, chocolate and proclamations of love on Valentine's Day.

I still remember our very first Valentine's Day, not long after we started hanging out. I was at work only to be summoned to publicly receive a huge Teddy Bear and flowers. Of course, almost everyone was oohing and gushing about how romantic Garfield was.

It was a sweet gift, but I couldn’t help but wonder, why this bredda a call down all this excitement on me. It would be the first of many.

 Thanks to my life-is-meant-to-be-lived-out-loud then-boyfriend (now husband), I have joined the throngs of hopeless romantics on Valentine's day. Yes, I am now one of those couples evoking epic eye rolls. 

Sigh.

But how can you not give in to the power of love when your husband gives the best gifts? Let's flashback to last year when my husband orchestrated one of the best Valentine's Day surprises of all time. 

Here is the story:

On Thursday morning, Valentine's Day, my husband dropped me to work. "I need to borrow your car," he claims, "as I will be doing some work on mine today." 

I think nothing of this as he is, in fact, doing some work on his car. 

"Kool beans."

As we drive to work, he asks for the hundredth time during the week, "So what do you plan to wear to dinner tonight."

"I dunno. A dress. I'll figure it out later." I'm a little annoyed that he keeps asking me this question. 

"Think about it because you'll love this restaurant." He has a big grin on his face like he's mighty proud of himself.

"So, is this like a fancy long frock dress-up restaurant or more of a cocktail dress up?" I asked. 

"Anyone as long as you look nice!"

Sigh. That's not helping me at all. 

During the course of the day, I receive a delivery of the most beautiful bouquet of flowers. The flowers come as no surprise as Garfield loves to send me flowers. 

At a later point, I receive another delivery of a perfume, Pure XS. I hear it's is the latest and most sought after these days, but I know nothing of perfumes save that the bottle is pretty and it smells great! 

I'd say I've had a pretty great Valentine's Day.

I am reminded twice of my 4 p.m. meeting, once by our administrative executive and again my HR manager. I think nothing of the reminders as I assure them, "Yeah man, I remember." At about 5 p.m., the security calls and a young lady interrupts our meeting. I am confused. This young lady is Claudia, one of my makeup artist, but what is she doing at my office? and why does she have all her makeup things? 

"What are you doing here?"

"Garfield sent me and you know I can only be here for one thing!" she announces. 

Ahhh, but how does this make sense? No just a restaurant we going for dinner? Why him so extra? Mi no bathe yet? It never better him wait till I get home? So why him never tell mi to try come home early? Is which restaurant this we could be going that I can't slap on makeup on my own face? 

"Claudia/Brigitt unno want to tell me what is going on?"

No amount of bribe, cajoling or threatening could get either of them to give me any insight into what was about to unfold. 

I called Garfield, "What is going on? Why do I need makeup for a restaurant? We are already married enuh so it's not like you're about to propose? Or are you about to announce were having another child cause I know I'm sure as hell Not pregnant!"

"Woman, shut it! We are going to a nice restaurant, you want to look pop dung?" Just take the makeup and look nice.  

"Okay. But I don't  even bathe yet. Cho!"

About an hour later,  my makeup is done. I called Garfield to come get me. 

"We are late! He says as I get into the car, "That means you have to hurry so when you get home, don't bother stop and play with Jordan, just go straight to the bedroom." 

" Is what time we have reservations for?"

"We can get there for the latest 7:45pm"

"Okay, no prob."

We get home and Garfield repeats, "Straight upstairs, no stopping for Jordan" but as I head in Jordan immediately realises I am home and lunges for me. I take her and head upstairs.

"You can't help yourself, can you?" He smiles, "Come man!"

I am not sure I can aptly describe what happened next so let me show you:

Our bedroom balcony was transformed into the most amazing private restaurant with our own personal chef and photographer! Dang! I didn’t even know that our balcony could look like that!

I felt like I walked onto the set of a real-life romantic movie and I was the star. Wait let me go bathe and change! 

Of course, little Miss Jordan could not be left out the mix so after getting dressed, I dressed her up to join on the fun for at least part of the night *wink wink* 

I was excited to relish and enjoy every minute of the night: The food. The wine. The dancing. My husband reminding me aloud how much he loved me and Jordan and our family. And when he handed me the personalised calendar with our photos which noted all the important dates of our lives, I couldn't help myself. I bawled. 

Corny. Corny. I know.

And for those of you who like me can't help but being a cynic, here's a thought: I have no idea whether my marriage will last for another year or a lifetime, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that while we are together, we love and enjoy each other. What matters is that for as long as we are together, Jordan gets to see an example of a loving healthy relationship, something neither of us grew up knowing.

So, thank you, Garfield, for always creating these beautiful memories. I can truly say all the best moments of my life are connected to events you've helped to create. I love you. And maybe celebrating love and Valentine's Day (cringe) ain't so bad after all!