'Twas the night before Valentine's

'Twas the night before Valentine's

And in many a house

There were two anxious people

With no gift for their spouse

Sounds familiar? To be frank, at Average Towers we're long past the will we/won't we phase of celebrating Valentine's Day.

We've passed through the time-honoured phases of Valentine's Day celebrations that I'm certain most couples who've been together for more than a decade go through:

Pre-marriage: Slaves to commercialism. Lavish gifts all round.

Marriage, pre-kids: Still conforming to commercialism.  Overpriced meal out in restaurant. Possible theatre trip.

Early years with children: M&S 'posh' meal deal and a couple of dismal years of misunderstanding as to whether we are exchanging cards or not.

Now: Finally on the same page.  I'm 100% certain that I'm not getting anything. Neither is he.

I can almost sense people wringing their hands and shaking their heads as they read this.  Surely, I hear you cry, you will be giving one another the gift of some quality time together?

Actually no.  In fairness, I have taken the day off work.  Only because it is half-term and hubby is working a 12-hour shift.

Here's the thing. It's not that we're completely unromantic (honest). It's just that we don't choose to be romantic because it's expected. Call it a small act of rebellion in my average little life.

To my mind, it's far nicer to be gifted a bunch of flowers by my other half when he knows I've had a really tough day.

And, as we're having a frugal February, it makes sense to save our pennies for a little getaway that we're planning in Spring.

Of course, I don't deny for one minute that receiving flowers, jewellery or chocolates tomorrow will give ladies throughout the land a wonderful and well-deserved boost.  It's just that my own valentine and I have an understanding. It doesn't mean we don't care about one another.  Somewhere, in among all the petty day-to-day grumbles that pepper family life, I'm pretty sure we still do.

What's more, I've a funny feeling that tomorrow's going to be the day when he finally caves and agrees to paint the kitchen walls in my shade of choice.

Who said romance is dead?

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