Valentine's Day

Helping her zip up the dress she was wearing for tonight's dinner, he thought the dinner reservations at a French inspired restaurant sounded perfect. They hadn't yet been to such a restaurant, and they both agreed that it was a great way to spend their first Valentine's Day together. And the Vespertine Circus in Santa Rose was a great way to end the night too. After collecting the gifts they were going to exchange, they piled into his little red truck and headed towards the next town, directions dutifully present on his iPhone.

The restaurant wasn't hard to find, and they were seated in the farthest room back. While she knew very little about wines, she nevertheless ordered for them: a prosseco from Italy for him (he liked it's sweetness) and a Rose' for her (she liked it's mix of white and red taste). The crab cakes were a delicious starter and their main courses were well-presented and full of flavor. Fish and chips for him (complete with what he noted as "great fries") and a salad for her with her favorite additions (cheese, pears, candied walnuts).

When they exchanged gifts, she wanted him to unwrap her's first. Intimidated by his practically perfect gifts for every occasion, she knew his gift to her would be thoughtful and creative. She, of course, had long discovered that her gift ideas tended to either be photos, hand-made creations or something practical. This time, she went for the photos/hand-made route. A picture frame of herself and a mixed CD of songs that reminded her of her relationship with him). He opened the gifts and was genuinely touched, which put a smile on her face. When it was her turn, she began with the small box, tied up with ribbon and purple wrapping. Her initial idea was that it was a pair of earrings or perhaps a ring of some kind, but instead she discovered it was a small box of carmel chocolates from a farmer's market. She thought the gift was sweet (literally) and thoughtful. But he then urged her to open the envelope that she assumed was a letter for Valentine's Day. Inside, however, she pulled out a brochure for a bed and breakfast in Napa. Within the inside flap of the envelope was the words "For Alexis too." His idea behind the, she assumed, expensive gift, was that she had previously mentioned her frustration at not having enough quality time with her Dear friend, Alexis. his gift was too promote a unique and wonderful opportunity for her to invite a friend for a weekend mini-vacation, for his deeper motivation was always to make his girlfriend happy. His gift worked--it was a gift that was purely unselfish and thoughtful, something that she had never anticipated and yet desperately needed. A way for her and a friend to share a fun and unique adventure together. Once again, he had given her the perfect gift, to which she would be forever grateful.

They parked on Sixth Street, but unaware that the circus act would be held within an old flour mill/ liberal arts college. Wrapping his arms around her red pea-coat, they finally found the joint and were among the first guests for the evening. They chose seats with a good view--but not great, they later discovered--and prepared for the show to start. It consisted of a circus of misfits and oddities, controlled by a vivacious and lively ringleader, interspersed with small, musical acts which mainly featured the accordion. She liked watching the performers twist and climb long curtains and ropes suspended in the air, and he cringed when one of them did a back flip on a hard, unprotected ground. They both gasped as the ringleader hammered a nail into his nose. While she found the man who could wrap himself into the curtains to be the most talented, he also added that the man who could toss blocks and do contact juggling to also be intriguing.

They left the old flour mill that night after dancing to a gypsy-swing song. The night was full of good food, thoughtful gifts, fun entertainment and a comfy bed in the end. After a good game of Fairy Tale, they were ready for the newest episode of Community and fell asleep that night wrapped in each others arms: another memory for them to keep.