My Favorite Valentine's Memory

*This is sort of a continuation of our story, but more of just a little aside within the story, if you will. I will continue the main story next Thursday as promised*

As I have mentioned, Adam was my first and only boyfriend/dating relationship, so I spent A LOT of Valentine's Days as a single lady (all the single ladies), but it never really bothered me that much. Of course there were Valentine's Days I wished I had a boyfriend to send me flowers or bring me candy, but I never really just hated the day or anything.

It's kind of funny because my favorite Valentine's memory is actually of the Valentine's Day immediately before Adam and I were "official", when we were in the "we're just hanging out as friends" phase (like February 13th was literally our second time hanging out just the two of us). At this point we knew there was interest, but we were just getting to know each other. We planned to meet at Starbucks that afternoon to have coffee and chat. 

So I felt kind of awkward going on a "date" (we didn't call it a date at the time, but let's face it, that's what it was) with this guy I didn't know very well right before Valentine's Day. Isn't that like, a cardinal rule of dating or something? Don't plan a date with a guy you're not in an official relationship with on or right around Valentine's? Obviously I was clueless. I didn't know if he would feel like he should bring me some kind of gift and I didn't want him to feel like he had to. But what if he did?? And what if it was weird?? And what should I doooo and saaaaay??

Clearly I was overthinking things, as usual. Since it was all so new to me I was super afraid of doing something wrong or awkward or weird. 

When I arrived I noticed he didn't have candy or a card or anything so I was like "Ok, cool. Now I know" and we sat and talked for awhile. Then as we were getting ready to leave he goes "I have something in the car for you" and I was like "Oh snap."

So I walk to the car with him and he pulls out a card and a Guitar how-to book. We both played guitar and had talked about it and he knew I was just learning chords and stuff, so he thought I might like to read up on it. I was thinking "Well gosh darn it that's just the most adorable and thoughtful thing ever!" and I was impressed that he managed to come up with something thoughtful and sweet but not the kind of gift that says "Happy Valentine's Day, we are just getting to know each other but let's define the relationship right here and right now!"

Then I opened the card and it was a Valentine's greeting card with Barbie on it and said "For a Special Granddaughter" but "Granddaughter" was crossed out and he had written "Julie" in it's place (Julie is what my friends have always called me even though my real name is Julia). I cracked up and all of the nervousness left.

You would have to know Adam to know this perfectly embodies his quirky sense of humor and I absolutely loved it. Again I was impressed that he struck the perfect balance between sweet and funny and a little bit of sentimental as we were discovering how we felt about each other. I left that day thinking "This guy is something pretty special."

Of course we've had many wonderful Valentine's as a couple since then, but this one is my favorite because it was my first real glimpse into what a sweet, thoughtful, funny, and considerate guy Adam is, and though I didn't know it at the time, it was the start of something wonderful. 

What's your favorite Valentine's Day memory?

DANG I am wordy! And I tried to be more succinct with this one, really I did!