My First Valentine

In 7th grade, I think I got about 4 or 5 teddy bears (of various shapes in sizes) from assorted boys.  In 8th grade, I had a "real" boyfriend (because of course all genuine relationships occur when one is 13) and that year I got the kissing Halmark bears (2003 version, of course. See picture :). )

That was a pretty good Valentine's Day.  One time in high school I was with a guy for a while and I think I got some flowers... but for the most part, my relationships have stacked themselves nicely around Valentine's Day.  I tend to start dating people towards the end of the year and then break up with them right before Valentine's Day (the worst was when I broke up with my last (ever) boyfriend, February 13th... yeah...) Then of course pick up someone else right after Valentine's Day and it all falls apart long before Valentine's comes along the following year.

But this year... I have a Valentine! (Also, I know I'm a bit behind in posting, but we didn't celebrate Valentine's Day until this weekend so I wanted to wait until all festivities were out of the way... in the interest of full disclosure :). )  Valentine's Day was on a Tuesday, as you know, which is not very convenient.  Work, life, and everything made it a bit difficult to celebrate, but we made do.  I had Valentine's Day (though I was specifically instructed to be very low-key...)  I crept out of bed at 5 am to get breakfast ready... Cheese Blintz's (Of the Low-Carb, Metabolism Miracle appropriate variety :) ), coffee, and flowers.

Maybe not as lasting as the kissing bears, but I think we're moving in the right direction :). Anywho, Mimi's part of Valentine's Day was this weekend... We have spent the entire weekend in a Valentine's Date, and it has been wonderful. Friday, I got presents: a wine aerator, and... a promise ring to match hers :). 

Saturday, we hit up the IMA, lunch, movies and on and on... without risk of boring you in a detailed play-by-play, it was a really great first (real) Valentine's Day.  I have never really appreciated the holiday, but I've got to say-- all things considered, it's not so bad :).

Oh yeah, and one last thing...

You know what I'm excited for? The day when I don't have to tag along that death-sentence of a question-- "do you have an issue with same-sex couples?" before I show up somewhere with my girlfriend.  For most general life things, it's not an issue.  Well, it's not an issue, mostly, because we don't let it be an issue.  If someone has a problem it's their problem.  But after the first wedding-related place or two, I learned it was easier to call ahead and slip "it" (the gayness...) into conversation, or ask the question directly to protect me and mine.  The first place that we perused rings looked from me to her and back again and said, "so... you two are marrying each other?" When we said yes, he waved across the entire store and said, "yeah, well engagement rings are all throughout the store," and that's the last he spoke to us. Nothing makes a romantic moment less romantic, or more awkward. [Note: a more complete list of vendors/shops that we recommend and those that we don't will be published just as soon as we actually get to the engagement part ;-), but in the meantime, we'll leave it at some places are quite accommodating and some are not.]

Even the places that don't judge, still have a difficult time understanding.  This, of course, is far more forgivable, but at one particular shop I believe we had to articulate at least half a dozen times: "no, we're not best friends it's..."; "no, there are two brides because it's the same wedding"; "no, no, not a double wedding, we're getting married to each other."  And then to the next person we interacted with, "no, it's..." and all over again.  By the fifth person in, my best friend was introducing us as, "hi, they're getting married to each other!"

People mean well.  Well-- some people mean well.  Regardless, I'm excited for the day when "relationship" or "romantic" endeavors don't explain quite so much explanation, when my girlfriend is automatically my "very close best friend," when we don't get stopped in the street and asked, "is there a particular reason you're holding hands?*" [*True story.  Our first date.  That first tentative hand held and we got hassled by some drunk frat guys. Oh, the life.] Things are great now, and I certainly can't complain, but I have to admit I am very excited for that day when.