Today our characters are taking over to talk about how they feel about Valentine’s Day. Are they romantics or do they dread Valentine’s Day?
Robbie Jordan: My guy Abe is a dream come true. He can cook, he’s smart, he’s super cute, and most important, he adores me. On top of that? He’s a romantic. He gives me my favorite flowers for no particular reason, writes me little notes, brings dark chocolates. Abe has strongly hinted at some kind of special surprise for tomorrow and I can’t wait to find out what it is. After a couple of men in my life worthy of a place in the Bad Romance Hall of Fame, I’m not sure how I lucked out this time, but I’m embracing him with everything I’ve got.
Julia Snowden: Chris and I will spend Valentine’s Day as we spend every working evening in the winter, serving dinner in our restaurant. Gus’s Too was always conceived as a special place where a couple could have a date night, so Chris has come up with a prix fixe Valentine’s menu. Most of the reservations are for two, some are favorite customers and some people I’ve never heard of. We’re more confident about the business this season, so we’ve hired a waitress and a dishwasher, which means we won’t have to spend hours cleaning up after dinner service like we did last year. Chris isn’t one for cards or anything gushy, but I don’t care. After all the years of being alone on Valentine’s Day, usually somewhere on the road in my old venture capital job, I’m grateful everyday for the easy domesticity I’ve found with him.
Lilly Jayne: When I was young. too young, I married the boy next door, because that’s what one did. Getting married was an expected next step on the path. Fortunately for me, he left me for another woman. I say fortunately, because if he hadn’t done that, two things would not have happened. First of all, I would not have pursued my career with the vigor I did–I would have focused my efforts on promoting his career, I’m sure of it. Secondly, I would not have met Alan MacMillan, the love of my life. We married later, and didn’t have all the years I would have hoped, but what glorious years they were. Losing him broke me, but with the help of my friends, I’ve picked up the pieces, and am rejoining life. Alan would have wanted that, even though getting back into the mix of life means helping my first husband out of a jam. The experience helped me realize how very lucky I was in love, true love.
Beryl Helliwell: I can’t say either my dear friend and business partner Edwina Davenport or myself have any particular plans for St. Valentines Day this year. I’m not saying I am not always up for a bit of romance but my new venture as a dedicated career woman has completely captured my heart. I was delighted to discover a burning passion for private investigation and am pleased as punch that Edwina shares it too. Truth be told though, I do wish she had something special going on with her love life. I am certain local solicitor Charles Jarvis is more that a little interested. Maybe, just maybe I will find a way to give them a small push in the right direction.
Sarah: CJ and I married young. I had romantic notions about what Valentine’s Day should be like, but I didn’t know that when you are married to a man in the military, Valentine’s Day could be very lonely. Some of my best Valentine’s Days were spent with a group of women whose husbands were deployed. We might go out to dinner somewhere or have a potluck at someone’s house. There was always a lot of frivolity that hid some of the sadness and stress of having a husband far away and possibly in danger. That those were some of my most memorable Valentine’s Days probably says something about my relationship with CJ. This year? If I’m alone I’m fine with that.
Readers: What will you be doing for Valentine’s Day?
