I would like to take a moment to brag about my Valentine’s Day. I feel free to do this because usually, Feb 14th involves a Safeway flower bunch and some Walgreen’s chocolates. Not something to write home about. But this year? Well, let’s just say Kevin got it right.

I had been complaining to Liza about Kevin’s idea of a big gift. I’m just not the kind of girl who appreciates an iron or a new skillet. Kevin tries very hard but somehow he misses out every year. Liza summed it up very well with what she called a “Tuesday Gift”. This is the gift you would like for your husband to bring home on a random Tuesday to show that he has been listening to you and thinking about you. A “Tuesday Gift” would include a new vaccum cleaner, socks, or a loofa. The last thing you want to do is offer up a “Tuesday Gift” on a major holiday like an anniversary, Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day. When I explained Liza’s definition of a Tuesday Gift to Kevin, he got very quiet and then asked me if a new set of knives would be a “Tuesday Gift” or a good Valentine’s Day gift. In desperation, I sent him Liza’s email address and told him to run any further gift ideas past her and I hoped she could set him straight.

So Sunday morning rolls around and I’m lazing in bed. Kevin announced earlier that he had to work all day so I was tring to figure out how to entertain the children for yet another day when they all burst into the room. Kevin had a large envelope in his hands and announced that today was Valentine’s Day. I was a bit confused at this point. I had thought Wed was the big day but he informed me that no, V-day was coming early this year and I needed to get moving. He handed me the first of many sealed envelopes and instructed me to open in. Inside I found a note and a map directing me downtown to my favorite coffe house, Stumptown. I was told not to open the next envelope until after I had ordered my coffee.

I happily fled the house and headed downtown. I had no idea what was in store for me and the suspense was wonderful. When I finally arrived, I found Kat sitting by herself sipping a latte. I thought, “ah ha! Kat is in on this! What fun!” However, the shocked looked on her face and the fact that she too held a bundle of sealed letters lead me to believe that we were both in the dark. Our devious husbands had put their heads together and planned a day-o-fun for both of us! Yipee!

The next envelope contained a gift certificate to Mother’s, our favorite breakfast place, and instructions that reservations were at 10:30am. This is how the day played out. We were sent from spot to spot with gift cards and reservations waiting us. After breakfast, we were instructed to head to Powell’s and then to a salon for a pedicure. After our toes were painted we discovered The Tea Zone which had heavenly scones and finished the day with a trip to Talbotts.

I must say, it was so nice to have a day with Kat all preplanned and prepaid. It made me long for a personal assistant who could smooth my way through everyday. Wouldn’t it be heavenly to wake up to a planned schedule with everything reserved for you and paid for? Ahhhhh, just remembering it makes me smile.

Kat and I quickly decided that this was going to be an annual tradition. It was way better than a new knife set. (Thank you Liza.) And while I didn’t buy any new shoes, it did kick me out of my funk and get a little spring back in my step.

Now when, exactly, is Mother’s Day?