Valentine's Extravaganza

Exactly 3 years ago Kyle and I had just started dating.  He had just started working as an intern at Sky Ranch in Van, TX.  I was still working my way to my bachelors in Nutrition down in good ole' Baton Rouge.  So we were about a month and half into our long distance relationship, and Valentine's Day came!

When I say Valentine's Day, I know some of your cringe, and some of you say "Single Awareness Day," but fo those who aren't single you may be thinking that there's the great expectation to live up to... waiting hours for a table at a restaurant, paying too much for flowers that will die soon, and buying chocolate for someone who probably set a New Years' Resolution to lose weight.

But for those of you in a new relationship, or those of you who are very much still lovebirds... you can remember how exciting the first Valentine's Day can be!

So Kyle and I were trying to figure out where we'd spend this special holiday and then it turned out he was working for the weekend. Oh well.

But Kyle got together with two of the other interns and planned what they called "Girlfriend Weekend."  The other two interns had also met girls at camp the summer before and had recently begun the long-distance relationship challenge.  We arrived that weekend to find out that all three girlfriends were there in a cabin the boys had decorated with flowers and candy! It's a weekend we'll never forget.

...which leads me to Valentine's Day 2011. It just so turns out all those 'girlfriends' became 'wives' and all those 'interns' became 'full-time staff' out at Sky Ranch. So in girls Bible study it's the three of us ladies, and one ther lovely married lady who her also visited her then boyfriend out at the Ranch while they were dating long distance.  We have loads of fun sharing stories. And a few weeks ago we remembered "Girlfriend Weekend" and planned this:

Fancy Valentine's Dinner

We used all of our own dishes that we're so proud of, candles leftover from our own weddings, flowers left over from recent weddings, Christmas lights, wedding shower decorations, and our own flair to create a Valentine Date masterpiece.

 Josh and Katie's Table                 Kyle and Brittany's Table

Becca and Trevor's Table                  Jenn and Chris's Table

We told our husbands to dress up, come hungry, and arrive at 6. That's all they were told.

We has a night with wonderful food we made ourselves, dancing via Kyle's ipod, and sparkling apple cider toasts to our wonderful husbands. Jenn to Chris. Katie to Josh. Becca to Trevor. and Me to Kyle. and of course for more on the night, and great pics of the actual couples and dancing! check out Becca's blog of the special event!

Maybe we had more fun than they did. But we think they were secretly jumping up and down with excitment on the inside.

So enjoy Valentine's Day today. Married, dating, engaged, or single... take time to tell someone in your life that you love them. And it doesn't even have include a box of chocolates (although they may very well appreciate it!)