VALENTINES DAY

We have started the day at the Swift house. The dogs and I are all up. "I" outside on her daily mission to wake up the neighborhood.At six we will wake up Steve, as he has to bowl out of town today. So it will be me and my little friends. again. I didn't have any idea as I got older I would become the dog lady. But that is what has happened. I spend a great amount of time alone with them. They have become my very best friends.

Another Valentine's day has arrived. Isn't this called the day for lovers? You know the day where the little guy with the diaper and wings flies around, shooting at you with a bow and arrow. Causing you to think you are in love with someone you don't even really like. Lots of candy, flowers and jewelry has been bought for this holiday. As are many holidays Valentines has been stuck down
our throats by the merchant. A comerical holiday. And if a guy doesn't go out and spend umpteen bucks on the lady in his life, then that means he doesn't love her. Did you know how Valentines day really got started? Back in AD 496, a Christian Martyrs named Valentine let them cut off his head for the cause. Pope Gelasius made him a Saint and so St. Valentines Day was born. In the middle ages it become associated with love. We are talking being beheaded here and love comes into the picture. Hmmm, makes you wonder a little. And stop and think the color red associated with the holiday. The color of blood. I'm not liking this picture. Since St. Valentine lost his head to give us this holiday I think it would be safe to say he didn't like it either.

I have been thinking though about when my most romantic Valentine day was. I've had many come and go. And you know I can't remember a truly drop dead romantic Valentines. Oh I've have had lots of candy, flowers and such over the years. But for the life of me I can't remember one of those times like out of a movie where you went for a romantic dinner by candlelight, and soft music played. Don't get me wrong I have been taken out for dinner on Valentines but. But I can't remember some breathless Valentines day that stirred my very soul. Maybe I have a hard soul to stir. I don't know. I think one of the most romantic acts I ever had someone do for me was send me eleven roses and wrote on the card. "Go look in the mirror and you will see the 12th." Not very original but I bought it hook, line and sinker. And it wasn't even Valentines Day.

I love romantic movies though. And have watched "You've got mail," at least ten times. I love the part at the end where the song,"Somewhere over the rainbow," plays and Tom Hanks comes walking up to Meg Ryan. She starts to cry and he takes a handkerchief from his pocket. Dabbing at her eyes he says,,"Don't cry shop girl." I have watched that movie over and over just to see that ending. If I watch a romantic movie I want a good, sappy ending. Something that makes you smile inside. I for one don't believe there is enough romance in the world. Romance isn't a box of candy guys, its a aura. A feeling you create. Walking with someone down by the side of a lake or walking through the woods. That is romantic to me. I believe the art of romance has been lost along with many other things over the years.

But I still am a hopeless romantic. I think most women are. Wanting that white knight to come riding up and whisk you off to some enchanted castle. Instead he comes in a old pick-up, marries you, gives you three kids and rides off again with some other woman,quite possibly in the same pick-up. Leaving you and the kids behind. Yep, I sure am still a romantic. Well I hope you all have a great day and spend it with the one that holds your heart. Me, I'm spending mine with my dogs.