So, Ma?

When your kid starts off the conversation like that - I don't know about you but my butt puckers and my heart starts to race.

"So Ma? What are you doing for Valentine's Day?"

Whew...Close one....

"Nothing - HB has to go to his daughters game tonight."

"So, Ma? When is it that the passion ends?"

See - I told you it was coming.

"What? The passion? What are you talking about?"

She continues....And I am looking for the nearest exit.

" I just want to know how long into a relationship does it start? When you stop celebrating Valentines Day?"

Maybe she's blind? Maybe she didn't realize it was my birthday last week? Didn't she see all he did for me? Maybe she's stupid? It has to be from that time she fell off the back of the couch when she was little. I knew it would cause some damage.

"Let face it Ma, HB isn't...Young anymore. I am sure you don't like going to bed at 9 o'clock on such a special day."

Actually - nowadays I am in bed before him. I like sleeping. I like my bed. What the hell...?

"J, everyday is Valentines Day. Valentine's Day is all commercialism. It's something that Hallmark has created. It's a evil day you know. Men cannot win and women are always disappointed. It's a day that causes some happiness. But usually someone ends up crying by the end of the day."

I think that will be the end of the conversation. It made sense to me.

"If I were you I would demand something! I mean - you should at least get flowers or something!!!"

I sigh heavily....

"J, Flower companies jack the cost of flowers up ten fold. The florists are so busy that sometimes that can't make the delivery on time. Restaurants charge a flat fee to enter their doors - its $100.00 bucks just to sit down and eat...IF you can get a table. It's really not worth it!"

Ok - that had to sink in right?

"I just think its sad that you feel that way about it. I feel sorry for you."

Nope.

So then HB walks in. I repeat the conversation and hope that he can explain it better. He's college educated and doesn't have any type if speech impediment. I am sure he will be more eloquent.

So HB says...

"J, it's a sad thing when you are willing to accept that this is the one day that you expect someone to shower you with love and affection. Why can't they do special things for you everyday? Why does it have to be this one day?"

Ok - HB is doing good...I am so glad he walked in.

J thinks about it. Opens her mouth....(God, when will this be over?)

"I'm just saying. Everyone else is getting something. I better get something or I am going to be angry."

"J, everyday I treat your Mom well. I greet her with a smile and a good morning - I thank her for everything she does for me. I never take her for granted. You never hear me call her names. I kiss her on the forehead when I leave and I give her a hug when I get home. Even though we spend all day working together."

I am suddenly touched. He does do that and more. He washes this dishes at night. He will start a load of laundry and while I was at the spa this weekend he cleaned the whole house. Not because I asked him to...But because he wanted to. I had two pairs of shoes that had to go to the cobbler and I have been bitching about taking them over for two weeks. He did it. He brings my clothes to the cleaners - picks them up and goes on ice cream runs when J and I are whining about no dessert in the house.

But J - shrugs her shoulders and end her questions with....

"I'm just saying."

We dropped it there - but I went to bed (at 9) with a little more appreciation in my heart for HB. He is a good guy.

So when I woke up this morning I started the coffee and went to walk the dog. I returned to a lovely red 'Shoebox' card leaning on the computer.

Simply it said...

'Your all that I can ask for and more than I deserve.'

Love,

HB