Valentine's Day
Ahh, Valentine's Day, the day of love and chocolate. Do you celebrate in your neck of the woods?
This is one of my favorite holidays, especially when I was still in school (kids in the US traditionally give valentines to everyone in their class, so it's almost like Halloween in terms of candy consumption, but with far less walking and no costume worries). Even as I got older, I was never upset about not having a date on Valentine's Day because I knew I'd be getting candy from other sources. Obviously I had my priorities in order. ;)
Mr. G and I planned to celebrate Valentine's Day by shoveling the driveway together and then going out to lunch. (He gets off work at 6am and I "earned" Friday off by working long hours on Wednesday and Thursday.) But since he was up before me, he made me breakfast: eggs and toast, yum!
Then we did our shoveling as planned and hit the road for lunch at Bahama Breeze. Why Bahama Breeze? Because I had a gift card from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket and we figured it'd be empty at lunchtime. It ended up being a great decision. :)
Since we were celebrating, I ordered a strawberry mojito. I assure you, I don't drink often and certainly not at 11:30am. But the pictures on the drink menu were so tempting, plus very few restaurants around here offer mojitos so I went for it. (When I was dancing through the aisles of JC Penney an hour later, Mr. G wasn't as sure that it had been the best choice, haha.)
Anyway, it was delicious. The black thing sticking out is the straw, the brown stick-like object is a piece of pure sugar cane. We actually got to watch the bartender feed the sugar cane stalks into a machine and out would pop a squared-off piece of the center. I was so impressed. We both tasted it and enjoyed the sweet flavor - but the texture was stringy and pulpy, so one bite was plenty.
On to the food - also yummy, and we had enough to bring home leftovers. Woo!
But the best part of our day? About 2 hours later, when we were checking out at JC Penney's, I told the cashier we didn't need a bag. She became snarky and said we had to take a bag for security reasons. So I asked if we could instead use our receipt for proof of purchase if anyone had questions. She looked at me, rolled her eyes, then turned to my husband and said, "The total is $26." He paid. I stood there stunned and tongue-tied.
As we were walking away (with two things in a giant plastic bag), he was just as confused as I was. I told him I wasn't trying to be difficult, I just really didn't want an unnecessary plastic bag. He agreed that a receipt is stronger evidence than a bag and smiled at me. We turned a corner to head for our exit and passed an empty cashier stand.
So he took our things out of the bag. I folded it and put the bag under the stand's counter to hopefully be used by another customer. Then we held hands and strolled out the door. I had a huge smile plastered across my face and had to kiss Mr. G once we were outside. No one from security stopped us.
One plastic bag in the grand scheme of things is nothing (and surely, we could've asked to see a copy of the security policy requiring bags, requested a manager, refrained from purchasing anything, etc.). But I liked and appreciated Mr. G's gesture. His kindness and support meant so much to me.
Then we headed home so Mr. G could get some sleep. All in all, it was a fantastic day together. :)
This is one of my favorite holidays, especially when I was still in school (kids in the US traditionally give valentines to everyone in their class, so it's almost like Halloween in terms of candy consumption, but with far less walking and no costume worries). Even as I got older, I was never upset about not having a date on Valentine's Day because I knew I'd be getting candy from other sources. Obviously I had my priorities in order. ;)
Mr. G and I planned to celebrate Valentine's Day by shoveling the driveway together and then going out to lunch. (He gets off work at 6am and I "earned" Friday off by working long hours on Wednesday and Thursday.) But since he was up before me, he made me breakfast: eggs and toast, yum!
Since we were celebrating, I ordered a strawberry mojito. I assure you, I don't drink often and certainly not at 11:30am. But the pictures on the drink menu were so tempting, plus very few restaurants around here offer mojitos so I went for it. (When I was dancing through the aisles of JC Penney an hour later, Mr. G wasn't as sure that it had been the best choice, haha.)
On to the food - also yummy, and we had enough to bring home leftovers. Woo!
 |
| my lunch = salad + veggie quesadillas |
As we were walking away (with two things in a giant plastic bag), he was just as confused as I was. I told him I wasn't trying to be difficult, I just really didn't want an unnecessary plastic bag. He agreed that a receipt is stronger evidence than a bag and smiled at me. We turned a corner to head for our exit and passed an empty cashier stand.
So he took our things out of the bag. I folded it and put the bag under the stand's counter to hopefully be used by another customer. Then we held hands and strolled out the door. I had a huge smile plastered across my face and had to kiss Mr. G once we were outside. No one from security stopped us.
One plastic bag in the grand scheme of things is nothing (and surely, we could've asked to see a copy of the security policy requiring bags, requested a manager, refrained from purchasing anything, etc.). But I liked and appreciated Mr. G's gesture. His kindness and support meant so much to me.
Then we headed home so Mr. G could get some sleep. All in all, it was a fantastic day together. :)
Great story, Amanda! For Valentine's Day we went to an evening (kid-free) showing of the LEGO Movie and out for a "diner-style" meal the next night. We don't like participating in the madness that is evening meals on Feb 14!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dar! Oh yes, I used to waitress and dinner on Valentine's is crazy. So we usually try for lunch or a completely different day to avoid crowds. How was the Lego movie?
DeleteI liked the movie although the jokes were groaners and the dialogue was like something off Saturday morning cartoons on TV. But I really liked the animation and the clever things they did with LEGO (like showing a shower in which the water droplets and soap bubbles were all individual LEGOs!) And the theme song by Tegan and Sara is "awesome"!
Deletehaha, I had to google the music video after that endorsement - Tegan and Sara are definitely awesome! Glad you enjoyed the movie :) Mr. G and I talked about going to see it, so I appreciate the feedback. Sounds perfect for him. :)
DeleteHow nice of Mr G to show his support - it always feels so awkward when things like that happen. The breakfast looks great as well as the lunch and mojito! Valentine's Day here isn't celebrated as much...but seeing such a fun day makes me wish we had gone out or done something (as my husband suggested!)
ReplyDeleteI was so grateful for his actions! :) Yeah, we both look at Valentine's as an excuse to enjoy a nice meal out (which is a great way to celebrate anything in my opinion) :)
DeleteWhat a lovely lunch! And we all need to feel free to dance in the grocery aisles every now and then. And that drink looks very more-ish!
ReplyDeleteHow weird of the check-out girl! Now I'm older, I never feel awkward in situations. But I would have held my line about the bag and said, "how on earth can a bag improve security? What if I walked in here with an empty bag and put things in it? Would it prove I paid for them?"
We get asked here if we want a bag all the time in many shops. And one large variety store charges for them to encourage you not to use plastic. Even in the upmarket department store, I often refuse a bag and put things in other bags.
And how nice Mr G supporting your choice and finding a way to do so without causing a scene.
Thanks Lucinda! Dancing makes the world a happier place, right? :)
DeleteI hope I gain your confidence as I grow older! But you hit it exactly - I felt awkward and didn't know how to respond.
I love that some of your local stores ask if you want a bag and even charge for them! That probably really helps cut back on usage. And go you for refusing bags! :)
I'm as sassy as Lucinda - I'd have fought the bag issue too. I was recently buying a cheesecake (part of my very elaborate valentines) and the couple in front wanted a bag for their single slice in a container. Totally rolled my eyes to myself for that!
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful when a partner can do something so little that makes your heart swell with love and pride.
I wasn't very creative or generous at Christmas with the BF so I went WAY overboard with Val Day, in return he had a placemat with a (stolen from the pub) flower on the table when I woke early for work, and made my favourite mac and cheese for dinner. In return, he got clues all week, and gifts totally above and beyond any I've ever given!
Honestly I was speechless - I was not expecting that reaction! I can think of plenty of things to say now ;) haha
DeleteCheesecake and mac and cheese sound like a lovely gifts. I love edible presents. :) I hope your bf enjoyed all the clues and presents. I may have to steal that clues idea - sounds fun!
You're Valentines day sounds lovely - apart from the bag issue! I can't believe in this day and age it's still a problem to refuse a plastic bag!
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising! But I guess on the bright side, this is only the second time I've encountered someone who had a problem with it, and I've been refusing bags for years . .
Delete