Happy Valetine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. 

Once you truly fall in love and meet your soul mate this day just becomes another day on the calender.  I have never needed a "holiday" to show and tell Genie how much I love her and how much she has meant to me.  With that said, I would like to take all of you down memory lane for a bit. 

Twenty-one years ago, Genie and I were about to celebrate our 1st Valentine's Day as a couple.  We had only started our relationship a month and a half earlier, so, even though our feelings for each other were growing at an incredible rate, how much "love" goes into the first Valentine.   You don't want to see over the top, but rather cool and calm.  You don't want to scare each other off.  Lots of pressure comes with the 1st time this "day of love" rolls around.  How will I handle it?  Genie had no problem.

We were working with each other at Coco's as servers. She was the opener and I came in at 11:30 and worked the lunch shift. Since I came in later than the others, I was always put in the Garden room.  I showed up on February 1st for my shift, went to set up my area and there I found a red envelope with my name on it as well as "1 of 14".  It was a Valentine's Day card from Genie.  It is only the 1st.  I am pretty sure there was a small gift also, but I can't remember that.  Needless to say, for the next 14 days, there were more cards, gifts, notes, balloons and others.  Here I was worrying about one day and she had been planning for a 2-week celebration for some time.  When I came to work on the 14th, there were streamers and balloons throughout my own little service area as well as one of those giant cards and a street sign that read "Cupid's Corner".  I just remember thinking how much I loved this lady.  Remember, we had only been a couple a month and a half!!!  That night we went to The Velvet Turtle for dinner.  We had a great time that night.  I knew that this was the first of MANY Valentine's celebrations with this woman!!

Just the other day I was cleaning our garage and I came upon the box with the label "Genie and John Mementos". I opened that and saw the cards, some notes (one of which I couldn't read in front of children) and even that street sign. WOW!!! Such a trip down memory lane!!!!

Valentine's Day is said to be the day for lovers.  I say that EVERY day is the day for love!!!  Make sure all the ones you love are told that daily.  And always remember that everyday will not be a good day, but that should never change the the love that you share. 

I love you all and Genie, my words will never be enough.  You are the Love of my life and my Soul mate.  I knew that 21 years ago and I will know it forever!!!!

John