I've had so many different ideas on where to take this post and here I am now...with a case of the block. Please excuse the hodge podge of a post you are about to read. Where do I begin? Well, I guess from the beginning of my Valentine's Day experiences.
Charlie, my main man. Growing up my dear, sweet Daddy always did something sweet for his girls. By the time I was 9 years old I came to expect balloons in my bedroom when I opened my eyes and a heart shaped box full of chocolates by the time I made it down to the kitchen. It was simple. It was sweet. And the message was recieved. I'll never forget the morning I woke up when he was sneaking in to put the balloons in front of my bed. He tried making me think I was dreaming! hehe Oh Daddy, silly silly.
From age nine until I was about 15, my dad was my main squeeze. Then came a young man and my first real "Valentine's Day". It was possibly the cutest one ever. Among the mini gifts I received was a sneaker box filled with Hershey's kisses and a ratty old pair of sneakers. Completely confused, I dumped the box to find a small note saying "I'd walk a million miles for one of your kisses" and 1/2 of a heart-shaped pendent that read "God be with us while we are together and apart." It made me gush and I was crazy-stupid in love. I still have the necklace and always say a little prayer for him. Who would have thought that after all this time, the decisions we've made, and the people we've transformed in and out of, that we would still be such good friends?
Moving on, college was an interesting time....one that is not really worth getting into right now. However, there was this one St. Valentino day that I had the flu and woke up to meds with big pink bows, homemade soup, and hot tea. That was presh.
Fast forward to 2010, and you'd find me in a hospital crying with my best friend who had just given birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy. Later that night I listened to her mom tell me her love stories and fill my eyes with stars. You want love one Valentine's Day? Well you should have been there. Even though those loves had little to do with myself, I cannot think of any other time I saw more love on February 14th. Happy birthday baby boy, Auntie Mandy loves you so much.
Honestly though, most of my favorite lovey dovey moments have happened on just plain regular days. Like when a friend somehow snuck an arrangement of roses into my dorm room because everyone was moving home for the summer, or in little love notes with song lyrics with perfect timing. Even checking my inbox while in a foreign country and one-liners like "I just wanted to say I was thinking of you and I hope you are having a good time." Were those on Valentino day? No. Does it make them any less special? Absolutely not. Another favorite has to do with Sour Patch Kids and a porch swing.
This time around has been quite interesting. I've gotten a few "Remember me?" messages (for the most part, I'd rather not), of course the mass "Happy Single's Awareness Day" messages, you know the drill. I've never been anti-valentine's day, but I get why some people have such strong feelings against it. But let's be honest, what's wrong with expressing a little love? Maybe today was created for the people who can't ever really express how they feel and really do need a reason to do show it. Or, maybe Hallmark is just greedy. Guess we'll never know.
I couldn't let you go celebrate without some tunes though. I'm single and today my music choices reflect that. Whatever type of single you are today - pissed TFO, drunk & depressed, content or optimistic/giddy (Chronic Crushers like myself I'm looking at you) - I've got something for ya. Follow me on Spotify or click here. Special shout out and a hue thank you to Chocolate Charlie and Half-n-Half Charlie. Love yall Bouj's!
Speaking of chocolate, how's this for Valentino choco-la-ta-tay!
Happy Valentino Day!
~ A Charlie Gal
Nicholas wants to know if you ever checked your mail, Auntie Mandy?
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