Kari Byron, Mythbuster Mom: A Valentine’s Day Threesome

Apparently I need to find some less attractive babysitters.  Valentine’s Day is coming up and I have called everyone I know.

In Valentines past, I have gone to extraordinary lengths to show my love and be romantic with my husband. Back when we were starving artists I even got a job delivering roses … just so I could keep all the extras. I covered my one bedroom studio apartment in petals and cooked a candlelight dinner. Dinner may sound cliché but this vegetarian went so far as to cook him a steak! I guess nothing says romance to a southern boy like red meat. (P.S.  I wore rubber gloves and yes, I gagged while cooking it!)

This Valentine’s Day is going to be different. We are three now. Quite honestly I am looking forward to doing something special for my new little Valentine. In fact, I think my husband and I are more in love with each other now that she is in the picture.  It seems fitting to include her in the celebration.

When I was a kid, this was a special holiday for me.  My mom and dad always had a little special surprise waiting for me.  I could look forward to heart shaped pancakes and a themed lunch in my Annie lunchbox.  A little box of chocolates all my own, or some kind of fun present, would be waiting for me after school.  I remember carefully sorting out my Garfield classroom cards to make sure the cutest boy got the best one and the boy who glued my ponytail to the desk (you know who you are Josh H.) got the plain boring one.

I know this holiday can seem like a corporate scam to get you to spend money.  With our busy hectic lives, I just see it as a reminder to tell my family how much they mean to me.  I don’t need my husband to buy me fancy presents.  We don’t need an expensive night out.

I think the best gift is time devoted to us being together, all of us.