Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day, dear

"Did I get you flowers on our first Valentine's Day?" Anthony asked me the other day.

"Yes, I think so. Your mother did, too." That was 1991. It's hard to remember that far back, but I'm pretty sure Anth made me pancakes for breakfast, too.

Since then, we have decided not to go overboard celebrating V-day. A card is nice, chocolate's always in season, but no pressure for a big gift.

We used to go out for a fancy meal. After too many times being disappointed by an overworked waitstaff and uninspired kitchen at a high end place, I decided we would eat Thai food the year I was pregnant with Anna. I couldn't drink wine at a fancy place, anyway. Thai food is spicy and passionate. So that became our new tradition.

Until this year. I worked today, and wouldn't get home until 7pm. The kids need to be in bed by 7:15 on a school night. So we ate leftover enchilada casserole that I made earlier in the week, with fresh chocolate covered strawberries.

"That is so sad!" a coworker said. He knew about our tradition and that it was being broken. "Yeah, you make a lot of sacrifices after you have kids," I said, smiling. Later I thought, you also make a lot of sacrifices for a job you love. Eh, it's worth it. I see Thai food in my near future, anyway.

10 comments:

Joey said...

I can relate. I made John's favorite: ribeye smothered in mushroom and onion gravy w/ mashed potatoes and fresh green beens. Dinner was accompanied by the only wine he likes -- Messina Hof port (albeit a dessert wine, at least this is one he will drink). Oh, yeah, dinner was also accompanied by 3 small children. It was so romantic:).

paula said...

Hmm, yes well we had fishfingers, sweet potato mash and beans ... still at least we all ate at the table together (grumble grumble).

Emily said...

Hey, I don't know what you all are complaining about. Sounds great to me! I had take-out Indian food on the couch with my cat.

Sinda said...

Jennifer, I was just thinking about you guys the other day, and how we'd run into you at Madam Mam's that one year, all of us eating Thai food with our kids on Valentine's day. That's when I knew you were my kind of people!

get2eric said...

I bet the casserole was terrific. We went to Mykasu (or summat like that) we had the lunch special -$15 each, 4 pieces sushimi and soup and salad each. It was a nice V-Day meal.

ColeBugsmommy said...

I had Cheerios at 8:30pm when I got home and Cole had dinner with my parents.

The Library Lady said...

My husband has NEVER gotten me flowers--just not our thing. A co-worked commented "He'll never give you flowers now--if he does you'd get suspicious!" :)

SC ate leftover navy bean soup, JR had macaroni and cheese. And neither the Man nor I ate dinner--we'd both had big lunches, and I was too tired to eat anyway. In fact, by the time the Man came up to give me my card, I was fast asleep, pooped out by my day. Romantic, nu?

peevish said...

I hate eating supper at a restaurant on VD. We'd much rather just put off the dinner for another day and celebrate rather quietly at home.

I do hope you get your Thai food, though.

Laura said...

We had a Pizza Hut pizza that we wolfed down after getting home with Reno from the vet. That's also what I had for dinner the day AFTER Valentine's Day. VD is not my thing. Just another commercialized "holiday".

mainlyclearskies said...

I love little traditions like that - when you truly make a holiday your own. Sorry you coudln't honor the tradition this year.