Marriage Monday - Valentines Day

Marriage Monday meets at Chrysalis the first Monday of every month. This month, you can choose one of the following:
1. "Top Ten Tips For the Ultimate Valentine's Celebration"
2. "My Most Memorable Valentine's Day Ever"
Last year my husband and I enjoyed a unique Valentines Day and had a blast! We attended a cooking class. Now if you knew my guy, this never would have happened in a million years if I had left the planning up to him. However, I have learned a few things over the years.
I learned if I wanted flowers or a card or anything for Valentines Day, I needed to drop a simple yet direct hint to my guy and do it at least a week ahead of time. Now, I know this is unromantic. However, if I set my expectations right before hand and got over myself it turned out to be wonderfully romantic. When I gave a hint, I was never disappointed!
I set this adventure up with our neighbors. For Christmas I gave our neighbors a gift certificate to the cooking class as their gift. Because we are great friends, I asked them if we could join in for the 
Valentines Day event. They thought it was a great idea.
The cooking class would never have developed on my husband’s radar. Even if it had, he probably would have balked about attending a class with strangers. My man is painfully shy. However, when his best friend and his wife were going and it was all planned, he signed on with excitement.
The class was phenomenal. The Chef was fun and the food fabulous! We had such a great time that this year, our neighbors bought a gift certificate for us.










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Oh dear - I totally forgot about Marriage Monday (again!!!) - maybe I will join you all on Tuesday - if my brain is not mush after work tomorrow...
I think it is so fun that you all went for a cooking class. I don't think that I would have ever though of such fun event for Valentines day. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Iris | February 03, 2008 at 09:34 PM
PS: If you have time tomorrow - please stop by my blog - I got something for you!
Blessings on your week, my sweet friend.
Posted by: Iris | February 03, 2008 at 09:47 PM
That is really sweet.
Posted by: Denise | February 04, 2008 at 04:02 AM
Hay girl, How are you? I trust life is good. :0 Just stopped by to say hello I was thinking about you. I like the idea of setting something up.
Posted by: Donetta | February 04, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Hey Lynn,
Wow, this was really a neat, and different idea, I really like it!
Thanks for sharing...
Happy Valentine's Day to you and your hubby.
Hey, I usually have to be direct with my needs too. Most men, don't get it!
Posted by: Susan | February 04, 2008 at 09:16 AM
What a great idea. Next year, dancing lessons? LOL.
Posted by: Jan Parrish | February 04, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I'm glad it went so well for you, your dh and your friends. Sounds like a unique and very creative idea. btw thank you so much for praying for me, believe it I needed it :-)
Posted by: Amy | February 04, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Hi Lynn,
I am stopping by to say thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. Sending a hug your way... Congratulations on winning Iris's wonderful award! I enjoyed reading your marriage Monday, it was really thoughtful of you to think of your neighbor's happiness and ask them to join you guys in the cooking class. God Bless!
Posted by: Lori Madison | February 04, 2008 at 01:39 PM
You are a wise woman! lol After a few disappointments it's sometimes the best thing to figure out a way to get over this bump in the road ourselves! I enjoyed your story. I think that it would be painful to watch my husband trying to cook. lol
Posted by: Connie Marie | February 04, 2008 at 02:00 PM
That is so fun--my husband would hate that but still. :)
Posted by: heather | February 04, 2008 at 02:24 PM
What a wonderful idea.
Lori
Posted by: lori | February 04, 2008 at 02:59 PM
what a fun time I'm sure! Actually never thought of that, i think my hubby would really enjoy something like that!
Posted by: amydeanne | February 04, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Hey, what a great idea, Lynn. It sounds like you really know how to manage your expectations AND how to help your man to please you. (A true helpmate.) What a win/win situation!
The only cooking class we ever took together was at the Culinary Institute in Napa Valley (on vacation). The chef prepared yellow tomato gaspacho. For some reason, ever since, my husband has been really keen to remodel our kitchen. You just never know where a random cooking class might lead.
Thanks for joining us for Marriage Monday today. A quick reminder to vote for next month's topic, if you haven't already. :~D
Posted by: e-Mom | February 04, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Wow! What a great idea. And that your neighbors bought one for you! That's so cool.
I'm trying to find something extra special to surprise my guy this year. I really want to surprise him. :-)
Posted by: Dineen Miller | February 04, 2008 at 09:28 PM
That's such a creative way to celebrate Valentine's Day, Lynn. The only thing I've asked hubby so far is to please NOT give me chocolates this year...my cholesterol is misbehaving:-)
Maybe I'm getting old, but I'm just not all that excited about V day this year.
Loved your post, though. I get refreshed everytime I visit here. Taking the week off from blogging. See you soon!
Posted by: Vicki | February 05, 2008 at 10:32 AM
It's all right to be direct. I am sure our other half is grateful for the hints.
Posted by: Speaking from the Heart | February 06, 2008 at 08:57 PM
I love that idea! I think I will try that for our anniversary this year since my dh will be out of town.
Posted by: Natalie | February 07, 2008 at 05:21 PM