Valentines Day

Valentine’s day did not sneak up on me this year.  I was prepared to make a good impression and not end up in the dog house, even if it is a Tuesday.  Luckily, Kyle’s coach cancelled soccer practice this eve., and Luke’s practice at 745pm meant we would still go out for dinner.  Sue made the reservations as she knows me by now, I would have just said that we can go out another day.

Cupid struck 25 years ago, and it was on Valentine’s day in 1987 that I proposed to Suzanne Marie Walsh.  If was actually a Friday night, and the evening was well planned and romantic.  I know, some of you are saying things under your breathe, or calling me names.  Anyway, the night started with a Broadway play, “Me and My Girl”, followed by a nice dinner at the View, a rooftop revolving restaurant at the top floor of the Marriot Marquis.  Very fancy if I should say so myself.

Since it was Friday the 13^th, I had to make sure we passed midnight before popping the question.  With ring in hand, I became one of those hopeless romantics, and since Sue said “YES”, we were engaged to be married.  We thought we could wait a year or so to get married, however, as spring came around, we decided to get married in August of that year.

It starts with the engagement ring, moves on to the wedding ring, and ends with the suffer ring.  A joke I couldn't resist telling, and a more fitting outcome than that poor Saint Valentine.  Just joking Sue, I will always love you.  By the way, our wedding song was “Always and Forever”

This day in history “On February 14 around the year 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed.

Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.

To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14, on or about the year 270.

Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine."

For his great service, Valentine was named a saint after his death

So we have a nice dinner at Viva la Vida, with a couple of margaritas, and the best tableside guacamole.  A nice mixture of fresh avocado, onions, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, salt, pepper, and fresh lime, prepared mortar and pestle style.    After dinner, we hang out for a few minutes and then I am summoned by Luke to go to soccer practice.   Oh, I almost forgot, Sue got dark chocolate and a small piece of jewelry.  Me, I got tickets for a Pink Floyd cover band.  Joy !!

Time for us to start planning something for our 25^th Wedding Anniversary, like a couple of nights in Gurneys Inn out East...  If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Photo of the day”Valentines Day"