Feb 11, 2015

Hearts and flowers and all that jazz

I thought I’d continue on with the theme that Jen started on Monday—Valentine’s Day. I mean, we’re romance writers here at the LoveCats and we know a thing or two about romance, right?

Well, we certainly do in our writing worlds, though our real-life worlds can be…well, somewhat different. ;-)

Mr Douglas and I have never really worried too much about Valentine’s Day. Mind you, every year he does double-check this with me in case I’ve changed the rules (bless his heart). :-) I mean, we exchange cards but that’s about it. Sometimes he’ll grab me a pretty bunch of flowers…but he surprises me with flowers throughout the year too. I might grab him some chocolate, but, again, that happens all throughout the year.

All that said, we have had a couple of Valentine Day highlights.

One year I was sick with a miserable cold, so he bought me the soundtrack to my favourite movie—When Harry Met Sally. He set me up on the lounge with a soothing drink and a box of tissues, put the movie in the dvd player and the CD in the CD player and handed me both remotes. That’s true love right there.

But the absolute best Valentine’s Day surprise was the one right after we were married. Now many of you will know that I eloped to London to get married and that we spent our honeymoon night in The Dorchester. It’s still the most amazing, plushest hotel I have ever stayed in.

Me at The Dorch (in our double deluxe room with four poster bed and views of Hyde Park)

We then spent three nights in Paris before returning to London for another few days. Well, on our last day in London Mr Douglas managed to sneak out to The Dorch and buy me one of their amazing bathrobes. Not only that, but he managed to hide it from me for the entirety of the next month until Valentine’s Day. I was gobsmacked…and over the moon when he presented it to me. We still say that’s the best present ever.

I’m of the firm belief that true love is about a whole lot more than flowers and chocolates. Still…it’s kinda nice to have a day dedicated to celebrating romance.

From me to you: Happy Valentine's Day!

So what about you? Do you have a happy Valentine’s Day tale to tell…or maybe a Valentine’s Day disaster? And to my fellow Cats, is it all hearts and flowers at your place on Valentine’s Day or business as usual? ;-)


14 comments:

  1. Michelle

    We don't do a lot for Valentines Day either maybe a card although over the years I have been given flowers chocolates and an assortment of nice things but these days we don't do so much we can gift each other things when we want or need them :) so it will be business as usual in our house this year

    Have Fun
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's nothing wrong with 'business as usual', Helen. Especially when you and your DH look after each other throughout the rest of the years.

      Still, I hope you both have a fab day on Saturday. :-)

      Delete
  2. I normally score a nice bunch of flowers but it's not a big deal for either hubby or myself so business as usual here but am very envious of your V-Day story and staying at the Dorch! :-)

    My 17 year old daughter had her first date with her boyfriend on V-Day 2 years ago so it's big for her!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy, the whole Dorch experience was a world until itself. The wow factor was pretty big. :-)

      I hope you get a nice bunch of flowers...and I hope your daughter gets totally spoilt! V-Day first dates and anniversaries are a VERY big deal. :-)

      Delete
  3. We don't do a lot for Valentine's Day either, this year we're heading away with some friends to go exploring in Washington DC. I'm happy with that because we're both very passionate about travelling and seeing as much of the world as we can :)

    Hope you have a lovely V Day this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stef, I think exploring Washington DC is the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day! Especially as you both love traveling so much. Have a ball! (And I hope you'll share your traveling experiences with us here some time :-) )

      Delete
  4. For a romance writer I am hopeless at Valentine's day. This year we are taking our son to uni on the 'big' day...no romance for us. Tbh we don't usually celebrate it but for a card each. I'd like to think that we do other small romantic things throughout the year...but we probably don't! Too much life getting in the way! Maybe we should...hmmmmm, food for thought....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Louisa, I don't think romance should be restricted to one day only. I figure as long as we're sweet to our best beloveds all year long that's what counts. Mind you...after that Uni run, maybe the two of you could settle down with a glass of something cold and bubbly? Just a thought. ;-)

      Delete
  5. We're kind of business as usual here, but we do give each other surprises throughout the year. I know for a fact that this year my man won't even realise it is Valentine's Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL on your man being completely oblivious to V-Day, Sue. TBH, I do think the whole Valentine-thing is far more important when we're young. Oh,lawd can you remember the agony? There are a few advantages to getting older. ;-)

      Delete
  6. Oh I love any excuse for a bit of romance even if it is on the cliche of a day. I usually send something to hubby's office and we go out for a cliched candle lit dinner.

    But V Day has taken on an interest twists with one of my little ones having an enormous crush on a kid at school. So, it was off to buy cliched chocolates for said crush. Sweet...but this is all happening too fast!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww...I love that you and your hubby do the romance-thing on V-Day, Jen. At least one of us here has to go the whole hog. :-) I hope you have a glorious time.

      You've inspired me. Am off to put some champagne in the fridge and to dig out the candles. :-)

      Delete
  7. Oh, now, I'm feeling like the least romantic person ever! Michelle, we're pretty laid-back about Valentine's Day though we do usually exchange cards. Ducking for cover, though, as I admit that this year we didn't realise it was V Day until we heard an advertisement on the radio as we ate breakfast! LOL

    Maybe I'll surprise dh with candles on the table for dinner tonight!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, Sharon. I'm kinda thinking that V-Day is more the province of the young. We who are older and wiser don't feel the need for a special holiday to put candles on the table, we can do it whenever the mood strikes us. At least, that's the excuse I'm going with. ;-)

      Delete