February 13, 2008

There's Always Next Year

For those of you who are planning to pick up some flowers from one of those roadside stands on your way home from work tomorrow, it's time to start thinking ahead to Valentine's Day 2009, when you can redeem yourself.

On this, the most romantic of the Hallmark Holidays, there are expectations galore-for women, anyway. Men don't seem to care one way or the other about receiving a gift. They are just hoping to get lucky.

Women, on the other hand, read all kinds of things into the gift they receive from their sweetheart. First and foremost, a woman wants to see evidence that her man has thought ahead. Thus, it's really too late for this year if you're still unsure what you're getting her.

If you want to be a hero next Valentine's Day, listen up. I'm about to reveal a Secret of the Sisterhood. Forget diamonds. What a woman wants most is some attention. She wants evidence that you think about her and want to make her happy. Of course, if it is diamonds that make her happy, that's another story. Just make sure that the sales slip doesn't say February 14. A diamond bought at the last minute is still an afterthought, albeit an expensive one.

Keeper Husband is learning this lesson. In years past, he has tried to get away with telling me that he'll take me shopping and I can have whatever I want. In his mind, the fact that he's willing to go shopping--an activity that he hates more than getting an ice cube down his pants--is proof that he loves me. While I appreciate it that he's willing to make such a sacrifice, it still doesn't require any forethought on his part. It saves him the trouble of having to pay attention to what I like and dislike.

Didn't I just say that women want their man's attention?

So this year, Keeper gave it some thought. He has noticed over the years that I like weekend getaways. I love to drive down the coast and stay at the beach for a day or two and just look at the ocean. (He likes to actually get in the ocean, but that's another story.)

Here's how the pre-holiday conversation went.

Keeper: "You know that doggie hotel that just opened up?"

Me: "Yes."

Keeper: "I thought we might get away for a weekend. What do you think?"

Me: "Great!"

Keeper: "I'll make the reservation. What's the name of the dog hotel?"

Me: "PetSmart."

Keeper: "No, the people hotel that allows pets. I want to take Corky."

Me: "Am I invited?"

Keeper: "Of course! It's Valentine's Day!"

Hey, at least he planned ahead.