LIFE IN THE LOVE LANE

Valentine, circa 1938, from collection of SWMBO’s late Dad.

I’ve been living life in the Love Lane for a long time now.

She Who Must Be Obeyed and I enjoyed our first Valentine’s Day together thirty-five years ago. My gift to her at that time was a cartoon of myself exposing a horrifyingly broad tongue, a cartoon that resides somewhere in the Elisson Archives unto this day. Nobody would have guessed, given such a vaguely inauspicious beginning, that we would still be together three and a half decades down the road.

Last night we celebrated the Sacred Occasion (sacred, at least, to the manufacturers of greeting cards, chocolates, and condoms, not to mention restauranteurs) by enjoying a candlelit dinner for two, courtesy of the Elisson Kitchen. An arugula salad with avocado and sherry-mustard vinaigrette. Sautéed mushrooms with smoked paprika. Grilled asparagus spears. Roasted cauliflower with garlic and capers. Char-grilled T-bone streaks with port marchand de vin sauce. A nice Barolo with which to wash it down. And, for dessert, homemade blackberry tea ice cream.

For romance, home-cooked beats a restaurant meal every time... especially if you’re with the right person.

Speaking of which, have I told you about my Valentine? Sure I have.

We’ve been together through thick and thin. These days, rather thinner than thicker, which is all to the good.

Thirty-five years of putting up with each other’s crap, laughing at each other’s jokes... and, together, laughing at our own foibles. Thirty-five years of mortgages, bills, children (wonderful children!), happy moments, scary moments, restless nights, restful nights, sickness, and health.

Thirty-five years of Life in the Love Lane. It’s the best way to travel!