Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF). We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like). Write a post and link it up, or if you don’t blog, feel free to finish the sentence in the comments for everyone to see.
Your humble hosts:
Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic (Twitter, Facebook)
Kate’s Can I Get Another Glass of Whine (Twitter, Facebook)
Stephanie’s Mommy For Real (Twitter, Facebook)
Dawn from Dawn’s Disaster (Twitter, Facebook)
Now for Some Rules:
- Please Make Sure to Follow Your Hosts, If You Haven’t Already.
- Make Sure to Read and Comment on at Least Two of the Posts That Come Before Yours.
- Share Your Favorites on Facebook and/or Twitter Using the Hashtag #FTSF.
- Now Make Sure to Link Up Your Posts with This Week’s Prompt Below.
- Enjoy and Have Fun!!
This week’s sentence: ”The most-memorable Valentine’s Day I ever had was…”
Next week’s sentence to finish: ”I get so frustrated when…”
The most-memorable Valentine’s Day I ever had was probably the worst I ever had. I honestly don’t want to rehash that here and even wrote a whole Hubpages article about this. But I will share this was the Valentine’s Day that my grandfather (my mother’s father) passed away. It was in 1999 and I wasn’t quite 22 years old yet. Suffice it to say, I started the day having a grandfather and ended it not having one at all. We were very close, so this was probably one of the worst days of my life. This one event caused me for many years to loathe and detest this holiday and even swore off celebrating it. I also would feel quite down as the month of February would approach each year. I just dreaded it.
Before I met Kevin, I dated quite a bit. I probably was a bit of a serial dater, but then again I just hadn’t found Mr. Right and he hadn’t found me either. Somehow, I managed to be in between boyfriends for the first few Valentine’s after my grandfather died. So not celebrating was pretty easy for me, because I didn’t have another person to celebrate it with. The Most Memorable One!!
But then I met Kevin in the summer of 2003. From the moment I met him, I knew he was different and special. We dated for months and was still dating for Valentine’s Day 2004. I remember how special he had made Christmas for me that first year. I had never been gifted Tiffany’s Jewelry by a guy, but lo and behold I was presented with two little blue boxes with a matching hearts ring and necklace set. I was also included in all his family’s Christmas celebrations.
Well, that Valentine’s Day was quickly approaching and was dreading it like most years, but when I laid it out for Kevin, he started to tell me how he had lost his grandfather a few years earlier, miraculously he understood what I was feeling, and even told me he would feel similar feelings as the month of June approached (when his grandfather had passed on) and close in on the anniversary of the death of his grandfather.
I didn’t think it was possible, but I remembered feeling even closer to him. He told me if I didn’t want to celebrate we didn’t have to, but I remembered thinking how much my grandfather would have loved him and how I did feel as though I had something now to indeed celebrate. Don’t get me wrong, I still very much missed my grandfather and probably always would, but I now felt as though a part of me was coming back to life.
Roses, Kevin Gets Me Them Every Valentine’s Day Since That First One!
Well, Valentine’s Day arrived. Kevin made the day so very magical for me. He took me out to a local Bar and Grill Restaurant, which had a ton of charm and a place I always wanted to try, but no one ever took me there before (ironically we had my baby shower there a few years later, because it became such a special place for us). Earlier in the day, he had a Vermont Teddy Bear delivered to my house, a dozen roses and even bought me a beautiful diamond cross necklace.
He honestly made me feel so loved and also very special. The day that I had dreaded and had sworn off for years actually became one that I will never forget, but for a wonderful reason and not the awful tragic one that it had previously been for me. It was the first Valentine’s Day that I felt like me again and will always be special for obvious reasons.
Now tell me, in the comments, about your most memorable Valentine’s Day (you’re in good company). Or write a post and link it up! And be sure to share my story with all your FB and Twitter friends. We’ll also be featuring some of our favorites on Twitter with the Hashtag #FTSF and our Facebook pages too, so make sure to follow. Don’t forget to grab a button and put it somewhere people will see. We are hoping to keep this hop going strong and continue this for a long time to come!
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Bill says
For the life of me I can't think of a memorable one. Sorry, Janine, I'm just no good with this stuff. Anyway, good luck with the storm and stay safe.
Janine Huldie says
No worries bill and thank you so much for your positive thoughts about the upcoming storm 🙂
Stephanie Sprenger says
That is lovely! How special that your husband was so tuned in to your feelings- you picked a good one! I always had a hard time with the anniversary of my grandma's death in January, and it kind of made me hate the whole month for a long time. Great story for our linkup today!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Stephanie. I am heading back to your page to see if my comment went through. Apparently Host Monster went down just as I was leaving a comment and your site went down and then I checked my own to find it too was down!!
Kat Biggie says
That is so sweet I nearly cried! I thought really hard about entering again this week, but sadly, I don't have any great Valentine's day stories! I've never had super romantic beaus I guess, but I've also never really cared for Valentine's day. My husband is hit or miss on the flowers, so I've just learned not to expect them. And now the date just reminds me of the day my twins' estimated due date (Feb. 13th) so all in all… I'm just Debbie Downer about the big V day!!! 🙂 I will live vicariously through you! And, I voted for you… both places!
Janine Huldie says
First of all thank you for the votes and trust me Alexa, Valentine's Day was a horrible day for me for quite a few years before I met Kevin. Seriously, I couldn't get near the day without thinking of my grandfather (he helped raise me and was truly like a father to me). As February would get closer each year after I would find myself getting depressed and would also get more moody. So I can relate to how you feel even if it wasn't my children, but someone else close to me. Kevin helped a lot and must say time did too. I still miss my grandfather dearly, but at the very least now I can at least enjoy the day just a bit, because of Kevin. Plus, i also see how excited Emma is getting this being the first year at school and they keep talking about it, so I want to give her the best experience if I can help it. Thanks again and sorry for the long ramble here.
kenyagjohnson says
Awww, that is wonderful that day was turned around for your! I understand that dread. I hate to talk about something sad in comments. But my grandfather died on Halloween 2000. Loved him the PIECES! Anyway when we arrived to make arrangements for the funeral, a bowl of Halloween candy filled a bowl that he had intended to pass out. We don't celebrate Halloween because I wasn't raised to. I thought this was one of those things that I would change "when I grew up and had my own kids", but for this reason I still don't celebrate Halloween. What was your grandfathers name? Mine was Pop-Pop. Oh my – I didn't expect tears to well up. Ooops. On a joking note, Halloween is ONLY day in the year that I don't like candy.
Janine Huldie says
Oh Kenya, I am so sorry about your Pop-Pop and can totally relate to how you feel about Halloween. I actually was the first grandchild and started to call my grandfather, "Poppy" and it just stuck. His was seriously a father figure and best friend wrapped in one. I still choke up like you when I think of him and will always remember him. Thanks seriously for sharing and again very sorry for your loss of your Pop-Pop.
Kenya Johnson says
I was the first grandchild too, so I named him 😉 At least we have our memories. That's the most valuable thing I own.
Janine Huldie says
So true Kenya and that is something that can never be taken away from us!!
Considerer says
It sounds as though your fella's seen you right and helped your life to transform in ways you'd never thought possible. That's what it's all about. Bless you both.
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks and totally do agree with you on Kevin. He really helped me get through this time of my life 🙂
Joan Veronica Robert says
Hi Janine, such a lovely story! Your present happiness over this celebration is well deserved, give Kevin a hug from me, for being so perceptive and a thoroughly nice human being. You two are well matched!
Janine Huldie says
Thank so much Joan and will definitely pass that hug along to Kevin from you. And I couldn't agree more about Kevin. He honestly really just knew how to make me feel better and get through that time of my life. I feel blessed to have him by my side 🙂
Michelle Liew says
I am happy that the two connected over shared feelings. Wonderful, and my blessings! Let's all have a great Valentine's this year!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Michelle and I have to be honest I am, too. Happy Valentines's Day to you and yours as well 🙂 🙂
Emily Cappo says
What a sweet story…I'm glad that Kevin was able to make Valentine's day special for you again. And those are some beautiful flowers!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Emily and I have to admit I am happy he could make the day a better one for me now, too 🙂
Cyndi says
Sweet story, Janine. I'm sorry Valentine's day does bring some measure of bittersweet feelings. Hubby and I don't usually celebrate ON the actual day – we try to avoid the crowds, haha. We will usually celebrate over the weekend before or after so that we can do what we want without the hoopla – we're such "clarks" lol.
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks again Cyndi and with two kids we too (if we get to go out), go out now the weekend before or after because of the crowds, too 🙂
Christy Birmingham says
I'm sorry for your loss on this day, my dear sweet friend. I am so glad you have a wonderful family and I am blessed to know you xx
Janine Huldie says
Thank you so very much and feel so very much the same way about you, too Christy!! 🙂 🙂
Stephanie says
This is definitely NOT a good V-day 🙁 BUT you got through it together and that's a great indication of a strong couple!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Stephanie and you are right not a great V-Day by any means, but I thank god I have someone like Kevin now, as well as my girls, too 🙂
Ruchira says
I am sorry about your grand father. Yes, it sure is difficult to let go…I am glad you surfaced/coated with beautiful memories with your hubby.
Touching story, but I am glad it had a happy ending 🙂 Hugs!
Voted for ya on both
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks for the kind words and the votes, too Ruchira. Also, so glad that you linked up with us as always!! 🙂
Kera says
What a touching story! I love how Kevin totally understood what you were feeling and made it the best Valentine's Day for you, even though you were feeling sad. Sometimes those bittersweet moments are what life's all about. And I love how Kevin gets you roses each year now to remember that one time. So sweet. Thanks for hosting the linky again, I actually linked up again this week! I'm not a big V-Day fan, but I do have some good memories 🙂 Have a safe weekend with all the snow that's coming our way. xoxo
Janine Huldie says
First, off hope you are safe right now and thinking of you with the snow. Second thank you for linking up again!! And also thank you for your kind words, too. I do feel very blessed with how Kevin really was so very thoughtful and still is during this time of the year. I know I am lucky and am so very thankful for that 🙂
Stacy Harris says
Is it sad that I don't really have any good memories of Valentine's Day. They were all kind of mediocre. Except for one… because it was the day before I left for Fort Drum and met my husband. But the Valentine's Day itself doesn't involve him at all.
Janine Huldie says
Sounded like a very interesting Valentine's Day and would have loved to have heard a bit more. Thanks as always Stacy!! 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
Awww…that's SO sweet! What an amazing husband you have to understand just the exact right things to say and do for that first Valentine's Day! <3
Janine Huldie says
Thank you very much Kristi for saying that!! 🙂 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Richard and actually there was an update that this young girl took personal time today and the company actually closed early due to the blizzard and she apparently lost her personal time she took. Yeah, not very interesting I know, but you asked and felt the need to oblige, lol!! 🙂
christine says
Normally, I don't condone roses on Valentine's Day. However, I gotta give your husband a thumbs up for doing so. Went perfectly with the day.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Christine and I have to say Kevin truly melted my heart and I am so glad he did 🙂
Sarah Bailey says
Aww what a gorgeous story <3 what a lovely hubby you have as well!
Just popping back over to make sure I'm following you can't wait to keep up with all your goings on this hop seems so fun as well! <3 it!
SarahLife in a Break Down
xx
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks so very much Sarah and was so very happy to link-up with you again this weekend. Thanks again seriously and so glad to see you here 🙂 🙂
gigigirl says
That's our Kevin….a real sweetie. You know your grandfather would want you to have a great Valentine's Day with all the happy memories of your time with him. Have a good one. Love you. Aunt Gloria
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Aunt Gloria and a very Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!! xoxo 🙂
Melanie Chisnall says
The love that you two have for each other is so clear in your posts Janine, it shines right through, and especially your story of how the two of you came to celebrating Valentine's day together each year. You have a beautiful Valentine's day tradition 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Melanie and so very happy to be able to share something so good that came out of something that was truly very disheartening to say the least.