Write a poem to your love for Valentine’s Day. :)
Before marriage and kids I ACHED for someone to love me on Valentine’s Day. The chocolates, the cards, the candle lit dinners, the DIAMONDS! OH!!! I longed for it all. I saw the commercials and tv shows and movies of couples gazing into each others eyes, madly in love and I couldn’t WAIT for it to be mine.
When I met Pat he was very much the “been there done that and it’s not my thing” kind of guy and I was very much the “do you think I’m pretty??? HOW PRETTY??” kind of girl. Hard to imagine, isn’t it?
I followed him around like a puppy dog on a mission, “what are you doing now? You wanna go somewhere? No? How ’bout now? No? Will you pet me? Will you love me? Will you feed me? Will you play with me? Will you will you will you!?!?!”
In the beginning, me “liking” him more than he “liked” me was definitely an ongoing issue. I couldn’t understand why this man was not falling at my feet. I didn’t know that some men just plain don’t have the romantic gene. I didn’t know that the whole “knight in shining armor” thing and the “I’m surprising you with a romantic getaway to France, no need to pack bags I will buy you everything you need when we get there” thing was ONLY a thing on commercials and tv shows and movies.
My man tried. Oh how he tried. But year after year it became excruciatingly clear that buying gifts and thinking up ways to “surprise” me were not his strong suit.
I remember specifically the pained look on his face as he handed me a dozen red roses after work one year on Valentine’s Day. We were absolutely broke, but he knew it was the “romantic” thing to do and that it was what I wanted. Romance.
I happily took the roses from his hands, but I didn’t feel like the girl in the movies that prances around and wraps her arms around her thoughtful lover. I felt guilty. I smiled. I thanked him. And then I told him he didn’t ever have to buy me roses on Valentine’s Day again.
My man is many things.
But my man is not roses.
Now it’s your turn!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and sign Mr. Linky. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1.) Write a mock interview with a celeb of your choosing. Take advantage of having the power to make it go however you dream.
2.) Describe your worst winter weather story.
3.) Tell us about that scar.
4.) A list of dos and don’ts.
5.) Write a poem to your love for Valentine’s Day. :)

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{ 83 comments… read them below or add one }
Ahh, that’s sweet. My guy’s not much into romance, either. But he’s mine, and that’s what matters!
Yeah, my man isn’t roses either. He was all that romance in the beginning (aren’t they all, well, most of them?) and then once he knew he didn’t have to try anymore, all that romance went right out the window. UGH!
Happy (pre)Valentines Day!! :o)
I truly LOVE your poem, and the fact that you focus on the good instead of complaining about about his shortcomings. <3
Bingo! That’s exactly what I was going for. :) Thank you!
I love this. I also told Jeff to never buy me roses on Valentine’s day…………I can think of tons of things I’d rather spend that money on. :)
So true…just give me the cash Pat!
Hey Mama Kat! (wail) That is my story you just wrote! The one I didn’t automatically get the inspiration for when I saw the prompt. It is soooo my story that I don’t know how you did it! But I think it’s the story of me, the story of you and the story of many other women out there. How beautifully you put it! Congrats, because you did a fine job, a really good job.
I got inspired by the list of dos and don’ts. And now I’m off to link!
Problem is, can’t link! Can’t find the gadget!
Oh, it’s okay. Found it!
Being a guy, I seriously lack the romance gene. That’s why I’m taking L to the Lincoln Day Dinner for a Valentine – nothing like hanging out with the Republican party to say romance.
Oh yeah…that just sounds heavenly. ;)
Love your poem :-)
My husband would love to buy me flowers all the time (and did before we were married) but it’s different when it’s OUR money being paid out for just a week of flowers (that’s how long they last). I just came right out and told him not to buy me flowers anymore shortly after we were married. He’d have them delivered to me at work, which was nice, but then i had to find a vase, water them, bring them home on th bus, what a hassle, not to mention the expense. He managed to find other things I like much better: cookie bouquets, Vermont Teddy Bears, nice outfits, Malley’s carmallow, etc.
Jeff is very similar to Pat. He is kinda lacking in all things romance as well, especially since the triplets were born. Go figure but he does make me laugh and he loves me fiercely.
And I like that.
Also, is that picture around your poem suppose to move? It is blinking at me. Maybe its just my early morning eyes.
Oh aren’t you sweet as pie today?! Dumb Dad probably doesn’t even know that this weekend is the infamous day. He’s so no into Valentine’s Day. I used to care. Now I don’t. I purchased him a very functional, unromantic gift for the holiday, not because we’re celebrating it exactly, but because he returned my Christmas gift and I feel like I owe him one. We’ll be even now.
So I used to act just like you and have given up. My husband hasn’t doesn’t really act romantic at all. He doesn’t notice stuff either. Which can work out for me at times (like when I’ve just come home from the mall) but you know what? The more “romantic guys” I witness on t.v. and in the movies, the more they make me want to puke. On that note, “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Pat doesn’t notice stuff either! So I totally laughed at the mall comment. I could wear a bikini over top my clothes and I bet he wouldn’t notice. Kind of nice knowing he’s not judging me in that way. :)
I love your poem! Will he see it?
Ummm…I’m not sure. He tends to read the blog sporadically and get caught up a week at a time. I kind of wonder if he’ll be all “HEY! I can BE roses!!!” Hahahaha…uhhh no you can’t.
That was really quite sweet and touching! There are much more important things than roses … and I think you know that now. Good dog! : )
*PANTING and TAIL WAGGING!* Waiting for treat!!!
That’s sweet. Sounds like he’s a keeper, roses or not!
He’ll pour the wine? What more could a gal want? Personally, I think roses are overrated. Especially if they don’t last the week!
I really enjoyed your poem. It’s a good reminder for me because my DH is not the romantic type either. I tend to get down about that, but then I remember all the things he does do and I’m thankful!
I linked up today. It’s my first time!!! It’s my attempt at writing :-)
Yay! I hope you had fun with it!
Love the poem!
We have the opposite problem. I’m not romantic at all, and my husband is. Makes me feel like a jerk sometimes!
That is a really great poem, Kathy. You should print that & frame it for Pat for Valentine’s Day.
Before we were married my husband was searching for the perfect vase. Apparently he had this idea that he was going to bring me home a single rose every Friday. Somewhere his idea changed into “flowers die so why waste money on them.” So, I have only received flowers from him maybe 4 or 5 times during our 10 years of marriage. When it comes down to it though, he does so many more wonderful things for me that it just doesn’t matter. You are not alone.
It’s the thought that counts right? Oh my gosh I couldn’t imagine getting flowers every week. Stop the madness!!
I’m by no means romantic … sometmes I’ll surprise the wife, but those times are few and far between … I’m much more comical than romantic … not sure if that’s a good thing or not.
I thought about attempting the poem, and now I’m glad I didn’t! You would have totally outdone me!!
I absolutely love that…reminds me of my very own Mr. Jones. =)
TV has ruined a lot of things for a lot of us by setting very high expectations and giving a false picture of so many things. People think marriage is all romance and roses, so they get out at the first sign of hardship and hard work. They think having a baby is a Hallmark commercial, and the reality of sleepless nights, dirty diapers and arguments about who has to deal with the screaming child are a slap in the face.
We need a lot more “tell it like it is” so we can appreciate what we have. Thanks for sharing your reality and how it is still special to you.
Christy
Love the poem, and the story!
I love it! My husband and I are broke and I told him nooooo flowers. Besides, they are so cliche. I’m a simple girl. I get all lovey dovey, head-over-heals in love when my hubby comes home and takes the baby from my arms and un-peels the toddler from my leg, looks longingly into my eyes and says “Sweetie, why don’t you go take a hot bath, there is a bottle of wine in my truck” I know it’s probably because I smell like yesterdays baby vomit but still, it gets my knees a knockin every time.
I did it, Mama and not too chintzy if I say so myself, which I must, as no one else will.
Please disregard the mention of stinker prompts. I didn’t really, actually, necessarily mean it, unless of course you don’t mind.
My Hubs and I have devised a solution to the romantic gift issue. HERE IT IS: Every time there is a gift obligation he gets me a SPA TREATMENT (Mani, Pedi, whatever). It requires no thought on his part and I am happy as a clam. Works every time.
I think the thought of picking out flowers makes him feel a little faint.
Awwwe =) ♥ SO CUTE!
Great poem! And there are so many other qualities that are more important that a sweep you off your feet romantic, especially in the long run.
That’s so sweet, yet simple! You are so lucky to have him!!
It is a relief when we let go of our preconceptions of what love should be and enjoy what love is.
Hey Kat! I tried to copy the button for my post today, but it keeps saying the html isn’t closed or something. Any ideas?
Eh…skip it. Sometimes that thing works great and others not so much. I have no idea what it’s deal is.
I can absolutely relate. But the funny thing (not ha-ha funny) is that my ex-husband was VERY roses. And abusive, too. So I’ll take the sweet non-roses guy. And I’ll never look back. Loved your poem.
Aw, I love it!
Cute poem Kat!
I linked up this time with a Do’s and Don’ts of how to survive two major snowstorms within a week of each other. Good times…
Oh my gosh, I LOVE your poem – it puts mine to shame (and I was all proud of mine until I read yours!)
Your man and my man could be brothers! However, they are keepers!
What a sweet poem!
Blogger wasn’t working with me this morning. I almost didn’t get to post my interview. I was sweating and everything!
This poem, totally could’ve written this for my hubs! Very cute!
I hate it when the computers don’t cooperate. They can make me frantic too!
Gotta love those simple men. Squee!
that was a great poem!
My husband is also not a “romantic” guy. But he’s still a keeper. I would rather have someone who does the dishes and shovels the snow without complaining than someone who gives me roses.
My guy isn’t into romance either, it sort of bums me out sometimes. I never really expect anything for Valentines Day or Birthdays.
What a great poem! You just described my husband EXACTLY. I think I was a little less searching for romance than how you described yourself, but still… we were definitely an odd couple…. 21 years later, we still fit like a glove :)
Awww. That’s so sweet. My man isn’t roses either. But he’s a good husband and an even better daddy. What more could you want?
How cute!! Love it :)
Kat, I love your poem! So sweet!
I’m not a roses girl. I’d rather have shoes, they last longer. Great post!
Marvelous poem!
I can not even begin to tell you how much valentine’s day is not my man. He is many things and did bring me flowers just about everytime we saw each other when we first dated, but valentine’s day and anytime you are supposed to do something, he has a problem with.
He has a problem with authority in general.
Sadie at heyMamas
Our men must be brothers. For realz. Cut from the same damn mold. O-well!
Loved your poem!
Awwww! I can’t decide what is sweeter the poem or the tribute before it.
wow. the poem brought tears.
Cute poem. I never write poetry…but I tried this week. EEK!
Aw, such a sweet post! My man isn’t roses either, so thank you for reminding me that’s not all that matters!
I love your poem & the prompt! Inspired me to write a little ditty of my own :). Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with the man you love!
nice poem and good prompt(s).
I am a new follower! I did the writer’s workshop for the first time today. It was fun!
I cracked up at you following him around like a puppy dog. I think commercials, romance novels, and chick flicks set us women up for huge disappointments in life. Those stories are just NOT real life.
I am still in that stage of aching to find someone to love me… I wrote a poem about my Mr. Maybe, though. Who knows what will happen…
Wow, Mama Kat. That poem is grown up love. Roses are good, but realizing the HONEST ways he shows his love is better yet.
Ooh, that poem is sooooooooooooooooo sweet!!!! Great story too, Kat!
Justine :o )
Cute! Love it.
Awesome story and peom!
I really enjoyed this story. This Valentine’s Day is my first one in a relationship, and my guy is trying to figure out what I want. I told him all I want is to spend the weekend with him, but he feels obligated to buy me stuff. Silly commercialism.
A day late, not my best writing, at least I tried. Dang! It was even my own prompt.
One day in the very near future the V-Day scourge will be banished and forgotten.
It’s too bad we didn’t meet a while back before we got attached tot he guys we married– we could’ve swapped. I am your husband, my husband is the romance addict. This year I was thrilled to bits with his gift– I think I finally have him trained. He got me new number plates for my car :-)
Fun post, congrats on your nomination over at Hilary’s POTW!
Congrats on POTW mention from Hilary
Love your poem,I hate gtting flowers on Valentine’s Day or my birthday if I know we are broke, but he hasn’t taken the hint yet. his has to be the best Valentine’s day poem I’ve ever read, it’s sweet but not sickenly sweet-my poems to my husband? Are usually sickenly sweet,(yuck) so I went in another direction with this prompt.
What an absolutely sweet poem! Beautiful story! I think your man sounds perfect!