I thought the title might get you.  Valentine’s Day always brings up a wide range of emotions and memories for me.  But one of my favorite Valentine Memories was Feb 14, 1992.  I had recently moved to Santa Barbara, California to attend Brooks Institute of Photography to finish my degree. On top of that I was nursing one of those horrible, heart breaking, take the air out of you, all guys are scum break ups.  So, barely knowing anyone but a handful of friends I had just started to make, the thought of Valentine’s day made me want to just skip the whole day in general.

But God blessed me with two wonderful, crazy girls who would become lifetime friends and I believe the friendship really cemented itself on this particular night.  All three of us were single, no dates, and either was crushing on a guy or like me hated all men that night. Sorry guys but it was a great night of guy bashing. The kind that was good for my soul and that only another woman will understand.  We spent the night on my roommate’s bed with a chocolate cake with candy, cinnamon hearts on it, chips and dip, and Brad Pitt. (yes we were in our early 20′s how do you think we could eat that)  O.k. but let’s be honest it wasn’t the real Brad Pitt but his debut in Thelma and Louise.  I had to admit his debut in this movie gave me a little hope that not all men were bad.  With no shirt and his cowboy hat I think we all found hope in the existence of men.  A favorite phrase from the night and I don’t even remember why is “You can butter my muffin!”  It’s been just about 20 years since I’ve seen the movie and remember the general idea of the plot. But that night with my new friends was unforgettable.

The ironic or somewhat funny part of this story was really the next day.  These same girls and I headed to L.A. to a friend’s art show at the Bijou Pig.  You guessed it we met up with some of my roommate’s guy friends and on that night I met my husband.  Fate has a sense of humor! One night men were scum and the next night this guy brought a little light in to my world. He opened his mouth, sang and he had me at the first note .  Tomorrow it will be 20 years since we entered each others lives and had that 4am breakfast together at Denny’s (it had a windmill on it).  I think it would be smart of him to send Brad Pitt a thank you note for softening my heart again .  Or I guess maybe I should because I found a real keeper that night.

Hope you find love and laughter today no matter what.  I’d love to hear a favorite Valentine memory of yours.  Leave me a little love note below.