The best-laid Valentine’s plans…What could go wrong?
Although I write romance, I’m more about romancing the everyday than going all out for Valentine’s.
However, since a Covid Christmas and New Year meant we couldn’t spend the holiday season at our lake house, Tech Guy and I were looking forward to going to that special place for a long Valentine’s Day weekend.
Walks in the snowy woods. Cozy times in front of the fire. Romantic dinners for two overlooking the frozen lake.
What could go wrong?
Intermittent freezing in the septic system means we currently have no functioning indoor plumbing there.
Instead of romantic togetherness, thawing the pipe ‘blockage’ will necessitate time, effort and mess.
And although there’s an outhouse, I’m not keen to use it in February in Canada!
So, Valentine’s Day plan B.
Take Floppy Ears to dog day care and leave our small town to spend a romantic Saturday in the city.
Walk along streets rich in Canadian history. Enjoy a cozy lunch in an intimate bistro. Hold hands overlooking another frozen waterway.
What could go wrong?
As I write this blog post, two major winter storms in rapid succession are forecast to hit my part of Canada over the next few days.
With public safety warnings to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare emergency kits, it’s likely none of us will be going anywhere, anytime soon.
Valentine’s Day plan C.
Always resourceful, Tech Guy has picked up a prepared meal from our favourite Italian restaurant near the office where he currently works one day a week.
The food is in the freezer, and we’ll reheat it to celebrate Valentine’s Day on either February 14th or the weekend.
This plan assumes we’ll still have electricity, but I’m hoping for the best while also preparing for the worst.
The soft glow cast by my great-grandmother’s oil lamp could be romantic, right?
Life happens
In almost twenty-nine years of marriage, I’ve become pragmatic. There are lots of days and ways to celebrate love and most don’t involve hearts, flowers and carefully planned moments.
As for my fictional characters, true and enduring romance is about learning to navigate life’s storms both literal and metaphorical.
No matter how you spend it, Happy Valentine’s Day!
I hope it brings love, comfort and kindness to you and yours.
And if things don’t go as planned?
Laughter—and in my case, the leftover chocolate I was too unwell to eat at Christmas—help!
