Valentine Traditions

Before I was ever married I remember hearing several stories about how Valentine's Day was a miserable holiday. In particular what caught my attention was how married women felt abused because their husbands didn't remember to get them anything or because the wife had given her husband a wonderful Valentine's Day the year before only to feel completely ignored the next year. I didn't want any of this to describe my Valentine experience.


So, the first year Derek and I were married I took care of Valentine's. Derek bought me some cinnamon lip candies (which I have discovered since we moved from Utah are not easy to find and yes, there is something different about them vs. the cinnamon bear candy) and I made him a yummy homemade dinner and bought him a favorite CD and we celebrated in our little, basement apartment--just the two of us. I still remember that Valentine's Day because it set the tone for the rest of them. They didn't have to be grandiose to be special. Just remembering each other was what mattered.

We decided that year that I would be in charge of Valentine's Day celebrations every year while Derek would be in charge of anniversary celebrations every year. That way each of us had an entire year to plan for the other person and there would never be any hurt feelings. It has worked beautifully. I look forward with great anticipation each year to planning a fun date for my Valentine.

This year I was able to surprise Derek. Last year, for one reason or another, he discovered every single thing I had planned as a surprise. But not this year! I reserved a racquetball court for us to play for an hour before we headed to dinner at Trader Vic's in Scottsdale. The food was super yummy and I had a sweet coupon through one of my new favorite discoveries: Groupon! If you don't know about it--you should. It's wonderful. Though, I do think you need to live in a large city to access the benefits.We finished off the night by watching the Olympics--my FAVORITE thing to watch every two years.

I love you Derek!!! Thanks for being a wonderful Valentine.

Oh, and earlier that day we took the kids to Goldfield, AZ, for a fun family outing (Thanks for the idea Alacey & Melissa). It's an old mining town that you can go and tour. Here are some recent photos.







We made shish kabobs at home (Owen was getting oil all over his clothes hence the lack of a shirt). These turned out super yummy--you should get the marinade recipe from me.

Since we had the coals all ready we toasted marshmallows for our Family Home Evening Treat.

Squeezing our HOME GROWN lemons for lemonade.

Goldfield, Arizona

The Superstition Mountains

Do the deed--do the time.