Love is in the air on 16th Place!

I am sure many people across the world spent Valentine’s Day alone with their “sweetheart”. Well, not Gary and I. We spent the BEST Valentine’s Day ever with our three “sweethearts” and a few neighbors!

We are so enjoying our girls being older! And this will be just a little insight as to why…

For weeks now, the girls have been asking questions and making sure we would be at home last night. They made it very clear they did not want us to go out. Of course we knew something was up; but that was fun for us. Then last weekend, Hailey presented me with her grocery list of items I needed to purchase at the store without any questions. On Monday night we were asked two funny questions; first, can we touch the wine glasses and second, can we play with fire when you are not here. (The second question came from Garyn.) I immediately answered, “sure” to the first question; but needed a little clarification on the second. They cleared up any misunderstanding about “playing” with fire by telling us they wanted to light candles. We agreed they could light them 10 minutes before we got home; and we would pray the house did not catch on fire in that time.

Speaking of when we needed to be home, we were given strict instruction to be in the house at 5:29pm. Not a minute late! (Obviously, time was of the essence.)

Well, as instructed, Gary and I arrived at home last night on time. However, the sliding door to the living room was shut and we had to stay in our room until we were escorted to our seats by Garyn. (Mind you, we were escorted with our eyes closed into a room we assumed candles were lit; but did not know where. Talk about trusting your kids!)

We opened our eyes to find a very romantic environment. The girls had found every candle I own and had them on the bar, the buffet, the table, etc. Of course, all the blinds were closed and the lights were turned down. In the background was the CD of Titanic playing. (Which, if you can forget the story line, is very romantic music.) Our dinning table was set with placemats, cloth napkins, wine glasses, printed menus, and mints. My favorite thing on the table was one of my stainless steel mixing bowls draped with a cloth napkin and filled with ice. It held the bottle of sparkling grape juice Hailey had requested on the grocery list. (Very creative!)

We were served, by all three girls, spaghetti with homemade sauce, corn and our favorite Texas garlic toast. After we were served, the girls fixed their plates and retreated to the sunroom where they had set-up a very similar table for themselves to give us a few minutes of privacy.

They came to check on us several times to see if we needed refills and to serve desert of Red Velvet Cake. (Which had been my Valentine gift to Gary from Mrs. Camp’s Bakery in Lubbock?)

To say the least, it was the most loving meal ever prepared at the best restaurant ever! Just to know that our girls understand how important our love for each other is and too encourage it by such an evening was precious. (Despite the other 364 days a year we hear, “uh….stop kissing!”

After dinner we were so inspired and blessed by what the five of us had to share, that we decided to take two roses out of different bouquets the girls and I had gotten and take them two the two widows on our street. I told Gary walking across the street I could not imagine sitting alone in my house on Valentine’s Day with all my children grown and my husband gone. We wanted to make sure they each knew someone still thought they were special!

Love on every level filled the air on 16th Place last night. Love for my wonderful husband, love for my children and love for our neighbors. It will be a Valentine’s we will never forget!