Valentine’s Day comes right behind Christmas and Birthdays as one of the favorite days of the year in the Carinato house. I believe the reason is because Valentine’s Day celebrates love, and being how Christina is, was, and always will be, the embodiment of love, this holiday is hers. On our first Valentine’s Day 26 years ago today, part of my gift to Christina was this Elvis Doll (she would have dumped me for Elvis in a second!) which is still in her “chest o’ things” tucked away neatly in the corner of our guest room closet; I am not kidding, she has one of those big old massive trunks that she stores not just keepsakes (and EVERY gift I ever gave her) but also memories. Mind you, when I moved into our first house I had a 2x2 container of “stuff” that she has publicly made fun ever since!
““I brought all these precious items into our marriage
and he brought a Tupperware bin of junk.”
-Christina”
Each item in that chest represents something important in her life, a memory, a special moment in her life. I was lucky enough for her to share the stories of each item with me shortly before our first child John was born. I didn’t tell her this until she was sick, but this is the story behind this Elvis doll. On that special Valentine’s Day, I first imagined that I might just be able to connive and fool her into marrying me one day. In hindsight, that Valentine’s Day has shaped the rest of my life, as Christina and I have shared a very special marriage filled with love. And that trunk?? At the moment it remains untouched and in the same corner spot of the guest room closet still. One day I will need some extra strength, some inspiration from her, and I will open it, but not just yet...
How about you? On this Valentine’s Day, will you do Christina and me the honor and remember some of the things in your trunk, all the great people and memories that keep us going???? And will you please do Christina and me one small grace: hug someone, and then hug someone else, and just don’t let it stop this Valentine’s Day! That’s why she loved this day.
And speaking of memories, I promised that as soon as the Board approved it, we would be announcing the date of this year’s Gala, to make a few more memories for my—and hopefully your—emotional chest o’ things: Saturday, October 24 again at picturesque Edgewood Valley Country Club. Keep an eye on the website as tickets will be on sale beginning in June! Enough blogging for February….
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!! Big big hugs from Christina and me…. Until we are together again.