The Highlight of my Valentine's Day

I've been in serious relationships for the past five Valentine's Days. (Ex and Older-man-ex) So even though I technically don't care about Valentine's, I was still thankful that it was only on a Tuesday this year.

Cupid, Venus, Aphrodite, or some other love-cherub was certainly smiling on me today, as I was showered with gifts.

Well, kind of.

Gift #1 - 9:45am: Nice, older, father-like co-worker treated me and my work-best-friend to grande cafe mochas at Starbucks. Sweet! (And tasty.)

Gift #2 - 9: 54am: Ever-friendly Starbucks agent hands me a little Valentine -- six chocolate-covered caramel balls, packaged in pink plastic with a note from Starbucks, wishing me a Happy Valentine's and thanking me for my patronage. Way to come through, corporate America!

Gift #3 - 10:12am: Work-best-friend brings me the candles I ordered from her sister's 'candle party' a couple weeks ago. (Okay - not technically a gift, since I paid for it, but still, a pleasant surprise!)

Gift #4 - 10:14am: Work-best-friend also brought me five CDs that her music-aficionado husband burned for me. These are going to make my iPod SOOO very happy! I can't wait to load 'em up. In case you're curious as to what great tunes will be filling my ears, my new CDs are:

Imogen Heap
the Garden State Soundtrack
Death Cab for Cutie
The Postal Service
Silverspun Pickups
and a random mix of work-best-friend's husband's latest favorite tunes

Gift #5 - 1:27pm: The McDonald's in Times Square was celebrating the launch of their new spicy chicken sandwich by giving away free 2006 FDNY calendars (you know, the total beefcake ones). As if that weren't enough, they even had three of the featured firefighters on hand to autograph the calendars!

Gift #6 - 7:18pm: An honest, funny, endearing email from Boy-R. After only two dates Boy-R was bewildered as to what the appropriate actions were for Valentine's. Doing something that could be seen as "too much" would be bad, and doing nothing would certainly be seen as "bad," so he offered me his sincerest Happy Valentine's wishes in a clever email. I think it was just right. After all, Valentine's is really about the sentiment, and your love- or nookie-interest acknowledging the day.

All in all, not bad! I'm pretty sure today's gifts beat a prix fixe dinner at some overcrowded restaurant.