February 14

I love Valentine's Day. Since my birthday is the day before, pretty much every single birthday party I ever had was Valentine themed with pink and red hearts decorations and heart shaped birthday cakes. I know a lot of people think it's a Hallmark holiday, but in a world with so much ugliness, why not celebrate the most beautiful thing of all, love?

I am lucky/blessed/fortunate in love. I met my forever love at 18 and married him at 20. That's how crazy in love we were, and still are. So in honor of Valentine's Day, here's a look back at our first Valentine's Day together.

February 14, 2004

This was a big weekend for us. It was the first time our parents met each other and it was the first time we seriously talked about marriage all because Craig's parents told him he should talk to me about it. So he went from not talking at all to talking way too much and freaking me out!

The day after my 20th birthday and two months before we got engaged.

I gave Craig's a poker set and he gave me a purple, heart shaped amethyst necklace. Apparently he was really excited about it!