I had always been frustrated with my husband’s lack of enthusiasm for Valentine’s Day, meaning a card given halfheartedly was the most I could expect. But since he was a wonderful, loving husband and father and did nice things for me all year, I really couldn’t complain.
However, on Valentine’s Day, as my co-workers received flowers, candy, and romantic cards from their husbands and boyfriends, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for myself.
Sue just got flowers . . . Becky just got a balloon bouquet . . . oooh, and a candy bouquet for Sara! I decided to take a quick break and go for a walk to blow off a little steam. It was near lunchtime; maybe I’d treat myself to a special Valentine’s Day lunch.
As I walked out the door of my office building, I was approached by a mime. I had seen him “working the street” the past few weeks and got a kick out of his silent antics. Today he seemed to sense my blue mood and walked right up to me.
The mime drew his face into a sad one to match my expression and proceeded to entertain me with a series of scenarios that depicted sadness turned to happiness. At the end of his routine, he magically whipped out a bouquet of brightly-colored paper flowers and handed them to me with a flourish.
As I reached out to take them, he grasped my hand and opened it, palm flat. He took the flowers, gave them a little shake above my hand, and out dropped a ring. Thinking this was a continuation of his entertainment, I picked it up to examine it, and found it to be a curiously real-looking opal surrounded by tiny diamonds. This guy must be getting some great tips!
A hand reached out and touched my arm, and there stood my husband, Richard, smiling with the pleasure of a small child. “Honey,” he said, “that ring is for you. Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you.”
“But, Richard, you don’t believe in Valentine’s Day!” I squeaked as I put the ring on and held it out in the sunlight to admire it.
“No, honey, that’s not really true. I’ve just been saving up for something really special!”
