The French, ironically enough, don't celebrate Valentine's Day like we Americans do. It's not neeearly as commercial here. No advertisements, no Valentine's Day candy section at the grocery store, barely any Valentine's Day cards. Maybe it's because they're always soo into their significant others, they don't feel the need to have this Hallmark "Holiday." But today, I am seein' the love. My host dad, Jean Jacques, is living and working in Sudan with the United Nations, while my host mom, Laurence, is here in Nantes with the fam. She woke up this morning to a huge package and a bouquet of flowers from her husband of 28 years. J'adore. She was so elated! Now, though I may not be a huge fan of Valentine's Day (I was a florist during high school and we literally dreaded this day), I guess I can be happy for all those who are cute & couple-y. I have no Valentine this year, as it is always my Dad, and he's 4,000+ miles away from me this year. But I am still a fan of love.
Really though, aren't we all?
^ Mimi & Bob, circa the early 1980s. Matching LaCoste windbreakers?
Must be love.
How will I be celebrating my Valentine's Day? Well, I have my host family's apartment to myself for the weekend while they are at their house by the ocean, so after going to get a hair cut and enjoying today's sunshine, I'll make myself dinner in my jammies, watch a movie, drink wine & eat delicious French chocolate. Sounds heavenly.
Amusez-vous bien, ce jour de Saint Valentin!
Sending lots & lots of love across the Atlantic,
MG.
hello molly's friend madeline. i have heard wonderful things about you and i hope the french life is treating you well! um and oh my goodness you have "desiderata" on your blog. and your valentine's day sounds like it was heavenly. i am quite happy you said hello and that we can now be blog friends. :) and yours is quite wonderful!
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