After 17 years of marriage and three kids, Valentine's Day has become more of a family event. We have a special family dinner with some type of heart-shaped, chocolate dessert and we express our love for each other. This evolved from what I experienced when I was growing up. My parents always did something special for us kids. My dad would have a little gift for both my sister and I, and my mom would have something special for my brother.
I remember one very special Valentine's Day a few years before I had my first boyfriend. My dad took me out on a Valentine's Day date. He told me before hand that we would be going to the movies to see Give My Regards To Broad Street - a film starring Paul McCartney. I had cheerleading practice earlier that day, but once I was done we were going to go. I was so excited. I really wanted to see that movie and getting to go out with my dad, just the two of us, was something that didn't happen often.
Before going to the movie he gave me my special present, the soundtrack album. This is a record I would listen to over and over and the fact that it still plays is remarkable. The movie itself was not that memorable, although at the time I didn't know it was panned by the critics. It wouldn't have mattered to me anyway. I had a day spent with my two favorite guys and life was good.
The first Valentine's Day I had a boyfriend was hard for my dad, although we've never talked about it. My first boyfriend did not take the holiday lightly and there was an abundance of gifts throughout the day. Flowers, chocolates and even a gold necklace- yes, it was more than I ever expected.
The huge box of chocolates I received was filled with caramels only. Each piece was my favorite, no taking a bite and putting it back. I didn't even know anything other than samplers existed!
The funny part about that day was all I had to give in return was a poem that I wrote. I was 15, I didn't have a lot of money and I did not expect the shower of gifts I received that day. I was a little embarrassed by the whole ordeal and in fact my dad's sullen attitude around the house did not make it any less uncomfortable.
It probably would have been a little easier for my dad if the day had involved just one little gift from my significant other. I am sure my dad also got me a gift that year (as he has never missed a Valentine's Day) but I am sad to say, I don't remember what it was. It was overshadowed by everything else.
Of course what played out 27 years ago was supposed to happen. The window of time that my dad would get to be my exclusive special valentine was limited. Now my husband's window is closing and one day in the near future, our daughter will have a special someone to share the holiday with. My husband doesn't want to talk about that, but he is planning to make this holiday weekend a special one for our only daughter. There happens to be a movie out that she wants to see (Beauty and the Beast), which has special significance for the two of them, and I foresee it playing out much like my date a few decades ago.
Although there will be other valentines in her life, I know that my husband will always be her special 'beast'. And I can see her movie date with dad holding more weight than any tangible gifts she will ever receive. Nothing in the world can top the feeling of being "Daddy's Girl" even if only for a short time.
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