Valentine This

In my family growing up, we had fondue on Valentine's Day. I have a few memories of it, and I loved that we got to eat in the dark. I'm not as good as my mom is about 'ambience' (her word), but I try to carry on a few traditions in my lesser-style.
Because Valentine's Day was on Sunday, we did our fondue on Saturday. Basically, Saturday was not a good day around here. I was wanting to live in my alternate dream world, and no one else in my family was co-operating. It would have been a good day for me to escape to a hotel in San Antonio or something, but somehow that option never arose. (And actually, I probably would have liked that a little too much, making it a bad idea long-term.) So we all survived the day, and tolerated each other, and luckily no one took advantage of the sharp sticks near open flames and hot liquids that night.

Brent and I had a brief but honest chat on Saturday night and Sunday dawned much brighter. I was so excited to go see my friends running the marathon! Everything worked out perfectly for me to see them before church and I was about as excited as they were. I was smiling so big all the way there and home, and am very proud of all of them! When Kim ran by I wanted to just run out and hug her and jump around in circles but luckily for everyone I restrained myself.

The boys treated me to lunch after church at Matt's El Rancho, and if you go there much, you know why I love it.

P.S. Brent and I went on our first date on Valentine's Day 12 years ago. Its still such a sweet memory -- of him whipping out those roses from the back seat after a long night out, and of me being a jittery bundle of nerves in my apartment afterwards. I couldn't sit still for more than ten seconds and you know how laid back Brent always is. That one picture probably sums up the whole twelve years.