Love

Mike and I aren't Valentine's Day people. In the nearly five years we've been married and the 15 we've known each other (whoa...we are getting old), we've never adequately celebrated. Every time we've been pressured into trying, by 1-800-Flowers or Hallmark or the rest of our well-meaning but media-susceptible society, it's been far from the picture-perfect night of romance that all of the Kay commercials idealize. Like that one year we ended up at an Indian restaurant because it was the only place within a three mile walking radius from our downtown apartment that wasn't turning people like us...Valentine's Day slackers...away. We'd actually been there before. We had loved the food and the atmosphere was cozy. But that night, that very special night, was different. They had a massively overpriced Valentine's Day three-course meal on the menu...and no other options. Once we made peace with the exorbitant bill that we had just been Shanghaied into paying, the meal was amazing. The hostess even gave me a red rose on the way out the door. Memorable, but definitely funnier with four years separating Mike and that bill. This year, we decided to try again. We played it safe: Italian comfort food at a place we know well and love. Our night started with Cesar salad and ended with cannoli. It was a great date and we left vowing to do that more often. But I have to admit, it was a smaller gesture later in our chaotic week that truly hit the meaning of Valentine's Day home to me. It had been a tough day. Mike went straight from work to class until 9:30. He was beat. I was moody. It was a recipe for disaster...until Mike walked in the door with two burritos and a side of chips and guac. Chipotle. It can make even the crappiest of days...weeks even!...all better with two 1,000+ calorie rolls of goodness. I definitely remembered why I married my good man. So next Valentine's Day, just remember: every kiss beings with...burritos.

Gold Stars this week go to:
*Mid-week, late night takeout: Need I say more?

*Pooch of the week: Every week, Urban Pooch bestows this great honor on one of their fuzzy clients. Not only does the pup get his or her photo in the company's weekly email newsletter, but their pet parents get four free hours of daycare. This week, Dorey delivered. I was pumped to a degree that I am actually embarrassed to admit to all of you.

*My two sweethearts: A boy and his dog. It doesn't get much cuter than that.