me & my love

It was impossible to top last year’s Valentines Day. I knew that going in.

Last February 14th, Pete was in Miami. We rented a big old boxy car, and drove to Key Biscayne for a late night picnic on the beach. With the lights of downtown Miami to the right, and the black expanse of the night ocean to our left, we sat atop a blanket on the sand. Festive Latin American music played off the distance, where families took part in some evening fishing off the bridge. We munched on fresh bakery bread and hummus. We watched the black-inked storm clouds retreat to the sea.

It was complete and total magic.

This Valentines Day, Pete couldn’t be with me. We spent a gorgeous three weeks together over Christmas and New Years, and now he’s a busy bee, finishing up his degree in England and working hard on his dissertation. I’m down in Miami finishing up what might be my last semester down at this university, and so I’m in Miami without my valentine.

But don’t worry, there was still chocolate.

Lots of chocolate.

The wonderful thing about our current geographical challenge  is, what I like to call, the CEP. The Chocolate Exchange Perk. I post him his beloved York peppermint patties and Godiva chocolates, and he supplies me with bundles of Cadbury: Buttons, Fudge, Caramel, Bournville Dark, and the classic Milk chocolate bars. The Valentines Day care packages are loaded with chocolate.

And of course there was brunch with friends. I had me some delectable eggs benedict. Oh, and a lovely video date with my love. And then there was the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Followed by a perfectly-chosen 500 Days of Summer to round out the evening.

Did I mention how much this Valentines Day rocked too? When I decided to be my own valentine?

Sure, my English Hunk and I are a bit geographically challenged at the moment, but it didn’t mean my V-day was spent wallowing. It was markedly un-wallowful. It’s okay to be your own valentine, and have a crap load of fun with yourself and your friends.