Friday, January 16, 2009

"Je t'aime"

With less than a month until Valentine's Day, I couldn't resist painting this sweet little guy, holding his message of love....


Valentine's Day has become kind of a big deal around here, where weather and funds permitting, the gifts sometimes go over the top.

It all started many years ago, early in our marriage when John (who is British) railed against the "stupid American holiday invented by the greeting card companies"...(nevermind the actual origins of the day are in fact British, we won't go there)....But suffice to say he was not on board with the whole candy and flowers thing.

My response was to arrange a mid-day workplace delivery of enough pink and red helium balloons to completely fill his office. Said balloons were tied to a coffee mug lettered "What a Guy", which was filled with Hershey's kisses and accompanied by a Valentine saying simply "Happy stupid American holiday". ;)

I've received a gift to mark the day every year since, hehe.

My gifts to him over the years have varied - from the risque to the ridiculous; the after dinner at a nice restaurant presentation of a gift bag, filled with chocolate body paints and brushes, and a note declaring "dessert's on me".....to very elaborately decorated valentines (we're talking HUGE valentines here - lace, feathers, sequins, glitter, perfume, the works) delivered every day for a week to his office....

And his gifts to me have been quite thoughtful; a romantic dinner out, an anthology of classic love letters, etc...

But last year's gift will be hard to top; the literal repair of a broken heart. February 2008 found me in the hospital's cardiac waiting room, and John in an operating room, as a surgeon repaired his damaged mitral valve. A successful outcome that day (actually a couple of days after Valentine's Day) was the absolute best gift I ever have, or ever will receive.

No clue what this year's celebration will be, but I suppose it's time to give it some thought.

(And if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them, hehe!)

~ Carolee

13 comments:

Christopher A. Klingler said...

CUTE Valentine's piece Carolee!

Chris :-)

Anonymous said...

You guys are great and seem to like to have fun! After last year, you need a nice weekend tryst! How about a weekend away somewhere? Maybe a crazy, fun trip to Vegas or Atlantic City. See a show, eat some good food and play the slots. :)

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

How darling! And love the story of "stupid American holidays"!

Kim Hardt Originals said...

Hi Carolee! This piece is wonderful! Hope you are doing well my dear!! Your family is in my thoughts often!

Kim

Unknown said...

That's a great idea from Caroline, go to Vegas, we got married there and it's a wonderful place. Love your response to the "stupid American holiday"
Rosie

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Carolee, what a fun tradition of gift-giving you share with your husband! Let's hope this "stupid American holiday" is much less eventful than last year's!
:)

artbyakiko said...

What a cute Valentine's box! It's less than a month. I have totally forgotten about that.

vintagepaletteart said...

Oh Carolee....................What a funny and sweet story!!! I laughed and got teary eyed both! You are a very SMART woman! ;o) I wish you and John both a very SwEeT Valenine's Day this year! =D

Hugs, *Lori

Carolee said...

Thanks for the sweet comments, all! I'm afraid Vegas is out of the question, though. Been there, done that about 20 years ago and I'm not allowed to go back. Ever see that old Albert Brooks movie "Lost in America"?

It was kinda like that, albeit with a much smaller nest egg. ;)

Enchanted Productions by Joyce Stahl said...

Oh Carolee! What a great post...you had me giggling and puddling up too! Wow...I can't believe it's been almost a year since John had his surgery!

May you both have a wonderful, lovey-dovey and fun-filled Valentine's Day together!

Hugs,
Joycee

Silke Janas-Schloesser said...

I love, love, love your cats ! If black or white or black and white or whatever !! Another great piece ! Have to have a chair once from you !!
Faery greetings, Silke

Acornmoon said...

I am sure you will always connect hearts with St Valentine, I hope you both have a good one.

Anonymous said...

u sound to have had some fun with valentines over the years and after last year sounds like u need a bit more fun this year! my hubby once stuck post it notes ALL over the house - some in the most ridiculous places like inside the tub with the cheese lol all saying 'love u' and similar. it was very sweet and as i kept finding them all day, i had a permanent smile on my face :)
beautiful work on your blog btw