It was a snowy February day. The weather hadn't been the least bit hospitable the last few weeks. Everyone in the area was getting tired and cranky because of it. We had been seeing each other for quite some time and loved being together. Oh sure there were hard times and fights. But we always seemed to get through them. He was perfect for me, and I was perfect for him.
I remember this Valentines Day in particular because I had been busy, as had my sweetie. It had been several days since we had any time alone together. I had had great intentions to celebrate this magical day with all the romance and trimmings, but with our busyness I had to make do with the little time I had. He warned me I wouldn't be getting a lot from him as he had also been caught up in work and life. I told him all I wanted was some time alone with him.
This Valentines night I was cooking dinner for us. He was a very picky eater and I was always trying to find something he would enjoy. My mother was constantly quoting to me "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach". Well I was forever trying to slip into his heart, so cooking for him was a big deal to me.
We had plans to attend a movie at the local theatre after a nice quiet dinner to ourselves. I loved going out with him, proudly hanging on his arm. He was so handsome and many other women gave him a second look. He was magnetic. People were drawn to him. He had a winning sense of humour mixed with a fascinating intelligence. He always seemed to know a little about everything. I loved hearing him talk to different people. He would find a common ground and discuss various topics. The other person would be drawn to him and captured in everything he said. I was most proud of him at those times.
I had decided to stick with a roast beef and potatoes for dinner. I also planned to make some corn. He loved corn. We would start with a fresh salad and finish with apple pie. I always cooked them without cinnamon. This was one thing he could not stand to eat. To make the evening special I added some red candles to the table as I set it. It gave the room a soft glow, which matched the one in my heart.
I was just tossing the salad when I heard the knock at the door. As I walked to the door the familiar pounding of my heart could be heard echoing through my apartment. Even after all the time we had spent together I still had flutters in my stomach and heart when I knew he was near. Checking my hair and face in the hall mirror, I opened the door and was greeted with the familiar aroma of his shaving cream and shampoo mixed with the fragrance of the single red rose he held in his hand. I smiled as my clear blue eyes met his deep chocolate brown ones. He smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist. They were cool from the weather. Drawing me near he softly touched his lips to mine. His arms tightened around me as I stepped into his kiss. He always only every said one word to me at these times. It was a husky "Hi"