Valentine's Day Suggestions

I guess I'm a little tired of lame-ass Valentine's Day articles, so here's my two cents worth on the subject and I'm giving it to you a day in advance so that you can get your act together for tomorrow.

You don't need to spend a fortune, bend over backwards or do back flips to impress a significant other on the Holiest of Hallmark days.

But an acknowledgement is necessary. Why? Because not acknowledging it smacks of indifference and nothing kills romance faster than indifference. Sad, but true.

So don't try to justify ignoring Valentine's Day with prolonged, boring speeches about how you don't buy into commercialism. That's just lazy.

But dropping a ton of dough is not necessary, either.
Here are my suggestion for celebrating the day:
1. Buy a card. For bonus points, make one. Funny is okay, but it must be picked out/created with care.
2. Include a gift certificate in the card for a foot massage.

3. Make dinner. It doesn't have to be fancy. This pasta dish is a good example of an easy dinner that you can serve with greens, a crusty loaf and fresh parmesan. Oh, and don't forget a nice bottle of red wine! Bonus points: light some candles and put on some soft music. (Yes, I know that you might have kids. So what?)
4. After dining, chat for awhile, continue drinking wine. If you have kids, this is when they go to bed.
5. Relax with a movie. And not Thomas the Tank Engine or Saw II. Bonus points: break out some chocolate.

6. Once you're about 30 minutes into the movie, pull out the skin lotion and massage your loved one's feet. A good, long, thoughtful massage -- not a short, jabby, perfunctory experience. And, if you have a fireplace, get a fire going.

Do I have to spell out number seven? If so, it's been too long for you...
Enjoy!
Vanessa

P.S. since you may be wondering, I've been married 19 lovely, romantic years. And we still hold hands.