Valentine’s

I have broken my annual beginning of the year post which is on books read in the previous year. I have two drafts on that which I thought I would publish in January but somehow I felt that I could do better in my writing. I have edited the posts severally and as January came to a close, I convinced myself better late than never and now that we are in February, I feel that posting travel in books in 2024 is a moment already gone. 2025 has started with a bang. I like that every time I come to the WordPress explore page I find a post from either My Black Glitter, Sassy Snippets with San San or Lwile the Leo. I am still waiting with baited breath for the day themythg and will grace our reading with her blog posts.

Valentine’s week in 2020 is one in the books for me. I was reading Something Blue by Emily Grifin and I remember smiling sheepishly that each time I looked up strangers who had not noticed the book thought I had received a cute message. I am now struggling to remember who I lent this book but please please do return. Valentine’s in 2018 was a moment of growth for a me and a foundation of friendship with the girls who stood by my side on my wedding. Having lost my brother on 1st February, they took me out for dinner and a memory of the day from snapchat has literally taken me back. To show my appreciation, I ensured each of them got a rose on valentine’s. Valentine’s in university or should I say Galentine’s was each spent watching Fifty Shades of Grey at the Cinema with my Maid of Honour.

2023 valentine’s is my best one yet. I got to go on my first date with my now Husband having randomly bumped into 3 of my possible suitors at various times during the day who casually dropped the what are you doing later in the evening without having made serious plans or any attempt were it not for the universe orchestrating our meetups. 2023 valentine’s would also be the only valentine’s I had celebrated romantically Once upon a time there was you. If I thought I was smiling sheepishly to Emily Grifin’s book, this memory has just put me in all my feels. I am feeling the butterflies I had then. I am remembering the conversation we had and time flying only to be interrupted by waiters bringing the next course. I remember both of us saying we should call it a night at 10.00pm because the next day was work and only because we would get carried away and converse deep into the night.

We had mutually agreed we would skip 2024 valentine’s way in advance. Unfortunately, we were mid fighting and communication between us was sparse. Nevertheless, I had dressed up for Valentine’s in a red pencil skirt, a black top and black heels and my nails were painted pink with multiple black hearts on each finger. Little did I know this would also be the set I would still have on come my engagement. I was pleasantly surprised when my husband (then boyfriend) sent me a text that he will be picking me up after work. He recreated our 1st valentine’s and from that moment to date, I forgot whatever we were fighting over.

2025 valentine’s…

I have been looking at various hotels and analyzing their valentine’s packages. On my list, 5 senses is currently the most expensive package with a 3 course dinner going for 30,000 per couple. A 6 course meal at Movenpick’s The View is following at 9,500 per person. Now more that ever I realize how over commercialized the day is. The prices of flowers and chocolates are about to reach an all time high but the prices wedding vendors quote for flowers is unmatched. Now being more financially conscious, I cannot be part of the givers of this get rich scheme all in the name of love; a receiver, I would not mind.

Nevertheless, I would like to have something that I can be gifted or gift whose price does not skyrocket in this one day and that holds a special place in my heart and signifies our love ( I am open to receiving suggestions). Meanwhile I am aware that everyone in the office will be closely watching, who gets flowers, what kind of flowers, whose bouquet is the biggest, whose flowers are the prettiest, who looks like they are being taken out for the night, who looks like they will be dining alone and for this reason, I am tempted to send a lady bird to whisper to my Husband’s ears where and which flowers He should get me but the thought that this will be orchestrated does not make it palatable. I do already know who will check all those boxes unrivaled, my colleague who has been receiving the most gorgeous arrangement of flowers all year round and all other previous years from her long term husband to whom gifting occurs naturally. A gift from the heart is always unrivaled.

Eager for Valentine’s is an understatement. I have unbridled joy. This year I do not want a table at a restaurant, people watching, looking at couples on their phones as they exchange a few words then each goes back to laughing at whatever a stranger who is self entertaining at home is posting on twitter. I do not want to feel pressured not to reach for my phone so that I am not that couple for someone else. I would have loved a vacation out of town but seeing how the best hotel rooms are also being overpriced, I will pass for another dull day later in the year when the hotel staff can fully attend to the fewer guests.

2025 valentine’s, I want to curate my best date yet, with all my best meals sourced from each of my favorite restaurants. I want to utilize the balcony on our 6th floor apartment watching Van Gogh’s inspiration, the starry night. I want fairy lights, I want candles, I want a good bottle of chilled white wine only because on other days I have red and because of the heat, I would prefer my wine chilled ( also taking recommendations for the bottle) or maybe I try port wine. I want to play the saxophone version of music I like. I want to talk, play games, dance, laugh and when I tire, fall soundly asleep because I am in no rush to get home fast or being distracted by all that is happening around me and forgetting to focus on us, our love.

and do you know what got me planning, excited, … he asked me to be his Valentine, apparently it is not so obvious.