The Fun E Farm: Celebrating Our Own Way

My husband and I are not big on giving each other greeting cards, candy, flowers, jewelry and other elaborate things to show our love. The pressure on men to get something to show how much you care about your love, to outdo last year, or the Jones, or whatever you're trying to achieve just seems wrong to me. And women are set up for disappointment after all the expectations heaped on us from every corner of commerce. I'd rather spread that love throughout the year with every day shows of affection, mid-week surprises "just because," or put money from a V-Day gift or dinner towards an even better vacation we're planning this year. Cards, flowers and candy are nice, really, but they're canned sentiments. And what better way to express your love than in your own way?

February is a long, cold month, and the warming glow of love is still very much appreciated in our house. So my hubby and I don't limit ourselves to that one day to show our love.

You know what I love? That my hubby met a business colleague in Berkeley Springs last week and sent me a picture of a beautiful end table he found at an antique shop there. He knows me so well. I replied that I loved it, and it came home with him that evening. That's thoughtful, and to me that's a thousand times more useful than a Hallmark card or expensive jewelry (which I don't wear anyway).

For all the loves of my life, I made clean chocolates Tuesday night. We all enjoyed them--specially Evie.

What else do I love? Giving my husband two tickets to see Folk/Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley because I know he will love it, and making sure he goes with a friend who will enjoy that concert way more than me.

Now, that's not to say I don't love getting original handmade things from my girls. I absolutely love anything my kids make for me, because I know it's straight from their hearts. And they always melt mine.