Happy Valentine's Day!

Every holiday and special occasion, no matter how big or small, Brantley and I get so excited about the gifts we've gotten for each other. We just can't wait one minute longer to exchange presents. Needless to say, we always end up opening gifts early. In fact, I don't think we've ever exchanged gifts on an actual holiday. This Valentine's Day we were about six days early. Last Tuesday, I got all of B's gifts put together. Then right after dinner, I said, "Want to exchange gifts?" I didn't have to twist his arm! So that's what we did. We're like small children! We get so anxious!

B got a guitar stand, a Popular Mechanics a magazine, some Peeps (eew!), and chocolate-covered pretzels. I opened up a box of personalized of M&M's (or as one of my students says, "nim & nim's"). There is one of three things on them-"Happy Valentine's Day!," "Love you Heather!," or a recent picture of the two of us. B knows the way to my heart-chocolate! I've always thought they were unique but never wanted to spend that much money on candy. It's like eating gold!

Here are a few fun facts about Valentine's Day that I found. Enjoy!

• About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged in US each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.
• Women purchase 85% of all valentines.
• Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year.
• California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America. Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.

Can't wait to marry my valentine. Only 8 months from tomorrow!