So, let’s talk Valentine’s traditions…

#1 – Heart Shaped Box of Candy (…that you can d-e-v-o-u-r all in one sitting while watching your favorite movie alone in your apartment.)

#2 – Dozen Red Roses Delivered to Your Office (…so you can show them off for all to see -  especially that super-hot-guy down the hall who two years ago made you do the walk of shame the morning after a tawdry night at the company holiday party. )

#3 – Make a Heart Shaped Meatloaf (….ok, this is where you stop and think “what the hell is she talking about?”.  It’s a cute story really… read on. )

My grandparents, Ernie and Tillie, were married exactly 62 years ago today on Valentine’s Day (pictured right)  Needless to say, Valentines Day represents more to them than the traditional Hallmark Holiday “stuff” it does for us.  So to make the day really special my grandmother —- yes — makes a meatloaf (Grandpa’s favorite) in the shape of a heart for him.  Is that not the cutest, quirkiest, most fantastic tradition you have ever heard of????

#2. you thought twice about getting two wedding dresses — one for the ceremony and one for the reception.

#3. you’ve implemented a marketing strategy to drive more traffic to your wedding website.

#4. you’ve commissioned an ice sculptor to create a bust in your likeness.

#5. you’ve created a planning spreadsheet that is so big it can no longer be sent over email.

#6. you picked out your engagement ring before you met your fiance’.

#7. you ran to the store to buy wedding magazines before you called your family to tell them you got engaged.

#8. you have more bridesmaids than you do friends.

#9. you’ve planned three occasions where you’ll be able to wear your dress after the wedding – one of them being your first anniversary.

#10. you giggle inside every time you get to answer the question “are you the bride?”

#11. you branded your wedding.

#12. you set your table at home just like it will be set at the wedding.

#13. you have a line item in your monthly budget called tulle and organza expenses.

#14. you created a logo for your wedding ‘collateral’

#15. The first thing you said when you called your parents to tell them you were engaged was, “Mom – we get to plan a wedding!”

#16. you have nightmares about walking down the aisle in an orange dress with bad tan lines.

#17. you named your signature drink after yourself — the “YOURNAMEHERE-Tini”!

#18. you created an 23 page Powerpoint presentation to persuade your parents to pay for the full bar.

#19. you use the phrase ‘it’s my vision’ more than once a day.

and NUMBER TWENTY….
#20. you’ve carefully planned your menstrual cycles so that you ovulate on your wedding night — OH WAIT that means you’re a baby junkie!!