The Very Best Valentine

Blossoms,

bonbons,

or bling...

are all wonderful ways of expressing your devotion to your heart's one-and-only, but this year was unique for my Valentine and me.

Not only did our romance commence on February 14th, but when it came time to tie the knot, we decided to keep that anniversary date. We were married ten years ago, on a wintery Wednesday in snowy Vermont, in an intimate fireside ceremony and celebration with immediate family and a few dear friends, and it was perfect. And now it's been a whole, entire decade of mostly wedded bliss!

 

So how do couples mark this milestone?

According to the experts the traditional theme for the 10th anniversary is "tin".

Glad my hubby didn't hear about this one!

For more modern couples the theme is "diamond".

Too bad my beloved didn't hear about this one in time!

Diamonds do conveniently reappear on the list for the 30th, 60th, 75th and 80th, though I doubt we'll be available for those last three occasions, so I better make sure he's well informed sometime after our 29th.

This year my sweetheart gave me a truly unique and treasured gift, the opportunity to miss him, the chance to remember how good it is to be with him, and the chance to realize just how much I still love the bloke I've promised to spend the rest of my life with.

Brace yourselves ladies for the oncoming wave of jealousy - my wonderful husband stayed home to tended home & hearth (though our humble abode lacks the latter), and sent me off for a two-day escape from the suburban housewife & mothering routine. 

That's right, ladies (and gentleman, hint, hint) -- two whole days to sleep in, tend to no one else's needs but my own, sip my morning coffee in peace, let my mind wander, have uninterrupted conversations, and do as I pleased on my own schedule. Oh and let's not forget the skiing! Two days of mid-week turns in the place we met and married with a super gal pal by my side.

In other words, near bliss. All the while he was home, getting children off to school, preparing meals (that were admittedly just waiting in the freezer for a quick reheat, but I still give him full credit), staying ahead of the laundry avalanche, shuttling children to after school activities, and getting everyone tucked into bed.

What a special gift, surely one to treasure, to be married to man who understands and respects a gal's need for peace and space from time to time!

So I write this post to proclaim my gratitude, my abundant thanks to my wonderful, handsome, wise, charming and witty husband for his love and generosity. I'm so looking forward to the next 10 years!

And what did I get for my marvelous mate to mark this special moment in our personal history? No tin, no diamonds, unless you count virtual trail rankings.

Hope he doesn't mind sharing his present with our off spring!

So how do you mark those special occasions with your mate? What would be your ultimate gift? To give or to get?