Stories

VALENTINE'S DAY SCROOGE©

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!"

CLOSET SURPRISE©

Today was Susan's birthday and she hummed happily as she drove home from work. She was really looking forward to dinner at her favorite restaurant with her husband Paul. A neighbor had agreed to take care of the kids for the evening and Susan had nothing to do but get ready and have a fun evening.

The telephone was ringing as she walked in the front door and she rushed to answer it. It was Paul and he didn't even tell her happy birthday. He just announced that his boss had assigned him an urgent project that needed to be completed by 8:00 the following morning. He followed up by saying that in the bedroom closet he had a briefcase full of documents he needed immediately to do the project. His request, "Would you please do me a big favor and bring those to me at the office?" added to the disappointment that was now beginning to set in. The evening she had looked forward to was not going to happen, and he hadn't even mentioned her birthday.

Paul explained where the briefcase was in the closet and said he'd wait on the phone while she went to find it.

Susan went to the bedroom closet and flipped the light switch . . . nothing happened. "Great" she muttered, "what else can go wrong." She moved cautiously into the closet, certain she knew where the briefcase was. She stopped short when suddenly a match was struck and she saw a candle being lit, then another candle, then another. She watched in surprise as candle by candle a birthday cake was illuminated by her husband who was sitting on the floor with the cake on a small table in front of him. He was wearing a party hat and began singing 'happy birthday' as he continued to light candles.

This was too funny! Paul was the most serious, business-like person in the world. And there he sat on the closet floor wearing a goofy hat and singing happy birthday. Susan couldn't believe it!

Paul invited her to sit on the floor across from him at the little table. "Honey, make a wish and blow out the candles." She did as he instructed but had some difficulty because his surprise appearance had left her a bit giggly. The next thing she heard was a distinct "pop" and Paul was pouring champagne into two glasses.

Touching his glass to hers, Paul became his serious self again and said, "Susan, you're the love of my life. I love you with all my heart, and I am just so thankful that you're my wife. Happy Birthday." He opened a pretty little velvet-covered box to reveal a wonderful opal ring glittering in the candlelight.

With tears in both of their eyes he carefully slipped it on her finger.

BE MY VALENTINE©

During the month of February we men start to get nervous. There are expectations out there that we're just not sure we're equipped to handle. The Valentine's Day thing is a bit scary!

My wife Sara starts dropping little hints in late January that she really enjoyed last year when I bought her the dozen roses or the special dinner out that we did the year before. I start thinking, "How do I top myself year after year?" But never fear, the romantic side of me usually wins out and this year was no exception.

On February 14^th I gave her a quick peck on the cheek as I left for work, letting her think I hadn't remembered that it was Valentine's Day, then I high-tailed it out to the garage knowing she would be leaving shortly behind me.

I drove down the street and parked my car around the corner then snuck back to watch the show. I waved to my neighbor Tom as I crept around the side of his house and he just shook his head.

I waited right outside the garage to hear the door from the house into the garage close, then I peeked cautiously around the corner.

Sara was preoccupied and looked at her watch as she opened the door to her little car. Whoosh! Out came the helium balloons I had so carefully crammed in there after she went to sleep last night.

She jumped back, startled, then looked around to see if I was hiding anywhere nearby. "I know you're out there somewhere Tim! What are you up to?"

As I came out from my hiding place I pointed to the front seat of the car where one last balloon rested. "I wonder why that one didn't fly out", I said. "Better check it out."

Sara reached in and pulled the balloon out of the car, shaking it to hear the rattle inside. I handed her the pin I had put on the shelf by the car and suggested she pop the balloon to get her real Valentine's Day surprise.

POP! went the balloon and out dropped a red velvet jewelry box that I caught in mid air and presented to Sara with a bow. "Honey, you are my sweetheart, forever and ever. Happy Valentine's Day."

The star sapphire earrings inside glistened like the tears in her eyes as she hugged me and said, "I love you Tim; you never disappoint me on Valentine's Day."

CAT FANCY©

Sharon and Keith had shared twenty-five years of marriage and in that time Sharon had never asked for much, but Keith always knew she really wanted a pearl necklace.

Quietly slipping out of bed on the morning of their anniversary, he took the beautiful pearl necklace he had bought her and wrapped it around the neck of Shazzam, the family cat.

Then he jumped back into bed and waited.

The alarm went off and that was the signal for Shazzam to leap up onto the bed and remind his mistress by patting her gently on the cheek that it was time to get up.

Sharon woke slowly and with her eyes closed began to affectionately stroke the cat. She stopped at Shazzam's neck, and with her eyes still closed felt the pearl necklace carefully. She opened her eyes slowly to see if she was really touching what she thought she was touching, and as she exclaimed with delight over his wonderful surprise, her husband exclaimed, "Happy anniversary honey . . . I love you!"