valentines day is practically a weeklong affair this year with all the good things going on, and i like it that way. all those bitter single people can say what they will, but i’ve really enjoyed the 14th for years. honestly, unless you’re truly lonely with no hope in sight, what’s so wrong with a day that celebrates love? you get to revel in it if you have it (we did), and if not maybe it kicks you in the ass to remind you how you should keep looking (been there too, and i think it works).

lucky for me i’m dating the coolest girl ever, who indulged me in getting extra-fancy for a deliciously expensive dinner saturday night instead of tuesday. my idea being to beat the rush and be able to stay up all night without concern for the dreaded workday morning after. this plan worked out tremendously, because we came home and popped a bottle of champagne into new sparkling flutes (a gift for her) with handmade paper flowers in them (another gift; do i know how to make them swoon or what?), followed by freshly baked muffins and mimosas in the morning. we looked great and ate well and had a marvelous time.

not to be outdone of course, she had to go and make a delicious dinner herself on tuesday to show me up, followed by hand dipped chocoloate-covered strawberries for dessert, and THEN include the gift of massage oils, which we had to try out. sorry if that’s too much info, but it was such a nice gesture i had to give credit; all i did was buy a fancy dinner and do origami.

of course, there’s a heap of fancy cheese left over, so there’s tonight with another bottle of wine. then a valentines party saturday we’re supposed to get formally sexy for again… and all of this, you’re right, might have been painful without a special someone. very lucky for me then that i’ve got someone i’m crazy about to go through four nights of celebration with and still feel like i haven’t had enough (i.e., argentina in just over two weeks!). yes, i think this week proves it, cements it in my mind, confirms it, whatever you like: i’ve found my best girlfriend yet and it just keeps getting better.