Love, Magic, and Sparkles

We hope you all had the most amazing Valentine's Day of all, filled with loved ones, laughter, and most of all love. Even while I'm an hour away from my husband, I enjoyed my Valentine's Day. At the top of the list, I know that on Friday I will return to him and our home. Secondly, he is always in my heart and my thoughts. Thirdly, my daughter ensured I had a great celebration with her and her husband to create a "stand-in" for the Valentine's Day I was missing. 

Marina dressed up in a cute deep red blouse with a pink jacket for the Valentine's Day dinner she was preparing. Her husband was coming home soon and she put her cooking skills to great use tonight to prepare an excellent meal for all of us. 

Soon she was ready for us to sit at the table to begin the dinner and gift opening. John walked in with a beautiful bouquet of a dozen roses with baby's breath interspersed throughout to give his wife. He carried in a card to tell his true love, in writing, just how much he loved her. The declaration of love was definitely sweet and as always, his love for her was definite. 

I felt like a third wheel, but Marina made it special and welcoming for all three of us. We sat at the table where Marina had wine glasses sitting with nice plates on chargers for the plates she would serve dinner on. It was perfect. I felt special to be included in their dinner, especially with my husband an hour away. 

She served the plated meal of Philly cheesesteak sandwiches on delicious toasted garlic bread. There were a handful of sweet potato fries as a side dish. The sandwiches were so good and fresh. After frying up the sourdough bread in butter and garlic, she spooned in the mixture of beef, onion, and of course, beautiful bell peppers. 

On top of the wonderful dinner, she set a gift bag beside our plates. John opened his gift bag to find a large bag of peanut M&M's and an expensive present that I will keep between them. I feel it's a personal gift to show Marina's love for her husband. Not personal as in being something that was intimate or was going to spice up their love life, but one that is nothing to be shared with the public. Besides, the gifts are not the point here. But the showing of love is. 

I continued to enjoy the dinner, but soon my daughter pointed out the other bag sitting to the side of my plate. To my surprise, she informed me that it was a gift for me. I do wish I could have gone out shopping for something for her. She really has done a lot for me by caring for me, providing a place to stay, and showing me love through this entire experience. Shopping for something special to give her will need to wait, that's for sure. 

Opening the bag, I found a couple of things that I absolutely love! She knows me well, that's for sure. I pulled out a small orchid that I found beautiful and adorable. Orchids are one of my favorites, so she chose a good one! 

Next up was a small Himalayan salt lamp shaped like a moon. It's going to be perfect as a nightlight when I return home. That will be a help in getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or to do whatever I need to do. Great gift and it is beautiful!

Moon-shaped Himalayan salt lamp is an awesome and perfect choice as a gift, outside of the orchid I received for Valentine's Day. I love them both. 

Our dinner included dining by candlelight. It was so much fun. All of us talked about our activities during the day and how good the dinner tasted. Marina pulled it off again! Wow, the girl can cook!

Along with Marina and John's wine was my wine glass filled with 7-Up, cherry flavored. Of course, it's sugar-free as well. It was fruity, bubbly, and great tasting with the Philly cheesesteak. 

Even though we were full, we ended our dinner with a root beer float, made with Smart Carb vanilla ice cream and sugar-free root beer. It was the perfect ending to a great meal. 

Love sparkled through every moment of the dinner and the dessert. Gifts were added to really show the love through delightful material keepsakes. Marina created holiday perfection and a way to provide comfort while missing my husband so much.

 The day after tomorrow I will return home, where Terry and I are planning our Valentine's Day celebration a couple of days late. The celebratory return will include gifts to exchange and a dinner he will pick up from a local restaurant. It's going to be an intimate dinner for two and is just what I need on my first night home. I've been missing our closeness, our laughter, and of course the love sparkles.

So this is my first Valentine's Day. My second one will be on Friday, when I return home and I am able to see my husband once again. Until then, we wish you an amazing Valentine's Day, filled with laughs and love. Hugs to all.