I have never been a big fan of Valentine's Day. It just sets you up for all kinds of trouble. Okay, it sets me up for all kinds of trouble. I have heard tales (probably urban legends) of other people who can navigate the day without incident. Unfortunately, that is not me.
The days when I was dating/living with The Dead End Guy were the worst Valentine's Day experiences. My favorite was the year I made him peanut butter fudge and he informed me (after opening it) that I should not expect any gifts or cards from him because he was really busy. Gotta love that kind of heart-felt sentiment.
In 2005 everything changed. Now I feel like (and believe me, I know how gross this sounds. It even makes me want to puke) every single day is Valentine's Day, but even better.
I met Mr. Smith and he swept me away. When we went on our first date and he kissed me goodnight, that was it for me. I knew from that moment we would get married and we would have children together and our life would be a wonderful, exciting adventure. We had, after almost 39 years, finally found each other.
I got lost for about 45 minutes in an area I know fairly well. I got on the freeway, going North instead of South...three times. It was like I had been hit by a bus. I didn't see it coming and it just hit like a sudden storm.
Oh boy has it been an adventure! Two children under four, a whopper of a lawsuit, a new business, so much love and so much laughter.
Every day when I get to wake up with this man, it is like Christmas, even when we wake up at 3 am. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I think Christmas (not because of the presents) is far better than Valentine's Day.
I still get butterflies when I hear him open the front door. He makes me laugh harder than any other human being on the planet. He smiles and it is like the sun broke through the clouds.
I am the luckiest woman in the world and I am thankful every single day that I found what everyone looks for in a mate. I found a soul mate. I never believed that such a person existed. Every day, every single day, I am surprised and amazed that this has happened to me and to us.
Now I have Batman and Robin running around with sunglasses, masks and capes. I have a crazy dog racing around the backyard barking at nothing. I get to live the life I used to only dream about.
This week I made these cupcakes for Mr. Smith. My Mr. Smith. He is a tough audience. A self-described picky eater, he is hard to please.
Smitten Kitchen gets a win for this one.
I only made one small adjustment. Instead of mint (because I have a long, checkered history with Peppermint Schnapps that prevents me from making mint-flavored anything without gagging, which almost inevitably leads to dry heaves, or not so dry heaves. Sorry, but it is the truth.) I added 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon. It gives just a hint of cinnamon and is just wonderful with the chocolate. If that doesn't do it for you, stick with the mint. I won't think any less of you.
