In past years, I've gotten myself in trouble on Valentine's Day. I learned that this is not a holiday for spontaneity. You must have a plan, if not, you might be accused of forgetting. Also, gifts must be purchased by you and presented to her--taking her to a jewelry store and saying "get whatever you want (but keep it under $X)" doesn't work. And most of all, potted plants do not equate to flower bouquets. You may argue that potted plants live longer and you get more bang for your buck, nevertheless you'll find yourself sleeping on the couch.
So this year I was determined to get it right. Last weekend I placed an order on-line to have a flower bouquet sent to T's office. Knowing it's a competition of sorts, I mortgaged the Cloister, put a lien on my truck and went all out.
As T left for work yesterday, she reminded me that we had a doctor's appointment that afternoon at 3:00 (the 20 week pregnancy check-up). She was leaving the office at 2 and would swing by to get me at 2:30. Gulp. I crossed my fingers all morning that the flowers would be delivered before she left work. She arrived home empty-handed. I wondered to myself how in the hell I was going to pull this off.
So we went to the doctor's and on the way back to the car I started to get the first hints... "So what's up for tonight?" she asked. "Whadya mean?" "You forgot didn't you." "Give me time here, we just left the doctor's." Good excuse I thought, but I appeared to be breaking the first rule, it looked like I was thinking off the cuff and had no plan. "You don't know, do you?" "Hold on, hold on, give me a second." We hop in the car, and I start driving, but I pass the exit exit to the Cloister. "Where are we going?" "I said hold on, it's a surprise." This bought me a little time. But as we approached her office she began again, "What are you doing?" I bit my lip until we pulled up to the front door, I said run up and check your desk. Her eyes lit up. But I was disappointed that I had to hint. She jumped out of the car and headed upstairs. Literally a minute later, a flower delivery guy pulled up. I jumped out of the car and asked if one of the bouquets was for a Mrs. Theologian, he said yes, and I signed for them in the parking lot. "How bout that." the guy said, "They were guaranteed to arrive by 5:00 and it's 4:57!" I smiled as I muttered a million obscenities in my head. He drove off and shortly thereafter T walked out and saw me holding the bouquet, "Where'd you get that?! How'd you... where....oh...." "Happy Valentine's Day!" Here's what she got:
On the drive home she was thrilled and said it would have definitely been the envy of all the girls in the office. (But they all left at 4:30 and nobody got to see them.) I told her it was God's little way of telling us not to be so vain.
We got back to the Cloister and T put the bouquet on the kitchen table. Then she said, "Um, RT, is this normal?" She showed me her tummy covered in a bright red rash caused by the pollen from the lilies. "See, that's God saying he's serious. Get in the shower now!" When she got out the rash was gone and she said, "Okay, maybe flowers are overrated."
She knew I tried. So when it came to dinner, she said she'd be up for Jim's, knowing it's my favorite. When we arrived we were in fact the only couple there. No reservations necessary. All the other booths were filled with young families, it was "Kids Eat Free Night."
T told me that my gift hadn't arrived yet because she had to order it from Japan. But she went ahead and told me that I should be expecting....
The Kogepan DVD!
Hurray!
When we got home we had a romantic evening watching episodes of The Electric Company.
Then it was time for bed. The lights went out, then T asked, "How much were they?"
"That's none of your business."
"No, seriously."
"None of your business."
"Don't make me get up and check Quicken. I want to know."
I sighed, knowing she would.... so I said, " $ x "
"$ X ?!"
"I wanted to make sure they were substantial."
" $ X ? $x... $x... "
T's quiet repetition gently lulled me asleep.
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