Day: February 14, 2017

This Valentine’s Day was the best one I have ever had. I think having kids who are excited about the holiday helped. Lydia spent the whole day in a state of euphoria. After her harp lesson, we had heart shaped pancakes, berry sauce and whipped cream for breakfast while the girls read Nana’s beautiful, vintage Valentine’s Day cards. Then we all read books (and did a little homework) until it was time for Lydia’s school.

At school she was over-the-moon happy with her class Valentine party, and for the rest of the day she walked around beaming. After school I gave the girls a mini heart-shaped box of chocolates for the most ridiculous, unhealthy after-school-snack ever. They liked it.

I also got strawberries, melting chocolate, and candy for the kids to dip them in. One of the neighbors happened to be over playing, so she joined in.

Abe brought all of us some beautiful flowers and individual, thoughtfully written cards for Valentine’s day.

He ordered heart-shaped pizzas for everyone at home, and then he and I went out on a date.

We started off at a bookstore in downtown Provo. We were both absorbed in some books when a lovely young couple started making conversation with us. Neither of us realized they were talking to us, so we did not respond until they persisted, and then of course we engaged. They were so nice! One was a middle school English teacher, and the other was just starting college. They enlightened us on the difference between Mormon writers Hugh Nibley and Cleon Skousen. (Abe was perusing the Skousen section.)

They also complimented me on the fact that I was reading Mormon feminist essays. I actually hated most of what I was reading and spent the next thirty minutes venting to Abe about various things that bugged me in the essays, but I smiled and moved the conversation on.

The bookstore closed then, and so we drove to Communal for dinner. Here are pictures of our dinner. We (Abe) had no shame and took pictures of everything. (Well, almost everything. I don’t usually eat pork, and the main course was pork belly. I found it revolting. The restaurant was nice and gave me a sweet potato stuffed with delicious lentils and kale instead.)

I loved having all of the evening to talk with Abe without the kids interrupting every five minutes, and I also loved how happy the kids were all day. Every part of the day felt happy. Like I said, this was the best Valentine’s Day ever (for me, at least)!!!

On Saturday Lydia had a master class with Heidi Lehwalder, Salzedo’s last student. She (Heidi) was lovely. After playing her pieces, Lydia sat there wiggling her loose tooth and looking blankly around the room. Abe and I were extra attentive and polite in the hopes that Heidi would not notice.

Here’s a video of some of the master class:

Here is a contrasting video of Lydia practicing for her musical theater class. We took this yesterday. She is a whole lot less shy at home!

And here’s a picture of Lydia, Mary, and I making valentines for Lydia’s class party.