Say "I love you" for $100

This year Valentine Day came too quickly.  I mean we just got back from our honeymoon after having our fabulous wedding on January 15, 2011.  So when I completely forgot Valentine's Day I didn't think it was a big deal, right? My mother thought I was #deadwrong.  She was on her soap box about women who get a man only to neglect him.  "Keep doing what you did to get him" is her motto.  She is a firm believer that you can't ever slack up.  I became defensive, almost self-righteous "As far as I can remember Valentine's Day isn't my job" I said.  But in my husband's defense he planned a date for us on Sunday and I refused to wake up from my nap since I was "too tired".  Then to add insult to injury, I agreed to work late on Monday (probably for someone who had big V-Day plans themselves).  So I reluctantly took my mother's advice to plan "something small". My mother, who could easily pass for Dr. Ruth, had endless ideas from innocent to masochistic.  Here is what we came up with for about $100 and virtually no time.

1. Chocolate dipped strawberries (using a fondue set at home my mother dipped strawberries in both white and milk chocolate) $8
2. Take out from the local Japanese steakhouse - hibachi chicken, steak, & shrimp with salad & soup & 24 pieces of sushi (California & spicy tuna rolls) $57 for 2 ($88 for 3 people)
3. Bartenura Moscato - $12
4. Strawberry Shortcake - $15 (Desserts by Gerard is so delicious)
5. Pandora Radio Station - free on my Macbook
6. Tealight candles - $4 for a ton from Ikea (keep them handy)
7. Tablecloth - borrowed from my mother

With my takeout in tow, I headed home to set up for a lovely evening.  The bad part about Valentine's Day is overcrowded restaurants and work/school the next day.  But we made the best of it.  I walked in and immediately set up the dinner.  I asked the boys, the name I use to refer to my husband and son, to stay upstairs until I called them down for a surprise.  I quickly spread out a table cloth on the floor, lit all of the candles, dimmed the lights, took the takeout out of the Styrofoam containers, broke out "the good china", poured glasses of wine (and lemonade for my son), set up each person's place setting, cut on the music, and quickly changed into my white apron with red hearts and a pair of red pumps. SN: I wore a halter top & boy shorts under the apron.  If this was a "grown folks" dinner I would have only worn the apron & heels ;). When they came downstairs, I was standing there ready to cater to the men in my life like a mixture of Mrs. June Cleaver & Beyonce'. And in less than 20 minutes, a romantic dinner for 3 was served. We enjoyed good music, delicious food, great conversation, and exchanged our gifts. They both appreciated the dinner & it didn't break the bank.   Some people may think I should have left my son out but children need to see and understand love.  They certainly are surrounded by sex. I hope we all get rich and can rent Catamarans for lunch but until we do use your creativity to show your love.