Cheesy, I know. But I don't care ... I spent a few years of my life hating the Valentine's Day hooplah. Mostly because I didn't have anyone to spend it with and the person I was still brooding over was a valentine to someone else. But also because I had a problem with the whole "hallmark holiday" thing and the ridiculousness of it all. And the fact that the people you love should be told and shown it all year long, not just on one day. Well, since then I've adopted a new philosophy. I thought back to when I was little and the fun of delivering cute little cards to friends with some candy to remind them that they're special to you. I thought of all the times I came home from school to find a box of chocolates and candy hearts with a mushy card on my bed from my mom. And, most of all, I have someone so wonderful in my life who values our relationship and does, indeed, tell me and SHOW me all year long how important and special I am to him. So, I let my little femi-nazi attitude about V-Day die out and I (re)learned to appreciate the day for what it is and to enjoy it - capitalistic "hallmark" holiday or not.

I hope you - and whoever it is you care about - have a wonderful day.

Last night, Mark took me to Andiamo (Dearborn) for dinner. I love going there and don't go often, which makes it all the more special. Mark and I have now spent 3 special days there and each time it's incredibly romantic and simply perfect. He also gave me a gift certificate to one of my favorite stores, Forever 21 (shut up). After dinner, he stopped and got two giNORmous chocolate-chip cookies and we went home and snuggled up to watch the grammys and indulge in the cookies with Reese's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream. !!! yum. We laid in bed most of the afternoon before dinner and retired to bed early to finish the night out.

Doesn't take much to make me happy. :)