Valentine’s Day

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could celebrate your love for each other on Valentine’s Day without jumping through hoops and breaking a sweat? Okay maybe breaking a sweat is desirable. But I find everything requires so much effort this time of year with the snow shoveling, layering of clothing, running to and from appointments. Sure, it can make us heartier than the fortunate, sun-worshipping folk down South and out West. But sometimes I just wish things could be a little bit easier.

On Valentine’s Day I’m all for going that extra mile to show my wife the breadth of my love for her. Flowers, surprise dinner reservations, jewelry. I’ve done it all and we always have fun. But some years, I wish there was an easier way to spend time together reconnecting. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Getting together without all the peripheral “noise” that life has to offer and enjoying each other’s company? No interruptions from smart phones. No fighting over scarce parking spaces. Easy to execute plans that shut out the outside world.

The most meaningful way I can show my love for somebody and specifically my wife, Elisse, is through food. Because I cook for a living, when I prepare a meal on my own time and there is no exchange of money I am saying: “I love you.” Similarly, when Elisse notices that I am overly stressed, my muscles are tight and I am unfocussed she takes time out of her busy schedule to lead me through a yoga class. At the end of the class when she says “Namaste” what she is really saying to me is “I love you”. Either that or “you are miserable to be around right now and I’m taking matters into my own hands and stretching and breathing the bad energy out of your system so that I can tolerate your presence and not throttle you.” It’s kind of the same sentiment, isn’t it?

So my vote is to stay in this Valentine’s Day. Cook for your partner. Pick up a bottle of wine. Make his or her favourite dish. Have chocolate for dessert. Make a play list of your favourite songs. Leave dirty dishes in the sink. Shut off your ringer. Don’t return the anxious message from “insert name here”. And if you need help with dinner give me a call. I can take some of the pressure off dinner preparation with my Valentine’s Day drop off service. Everything you need to prepare the perfect Valentine”s Day dinner arrives at you front door including a long-stemmed rose, easy-to-follow instructions and truffles from Stubbe Chocolates. An extraordinary dinner is easily prepared so that you can do what you’re supposed to do on Valentine’s Day…