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Valentine’s Day, although now behind us, was spent very differently for my husband and I this year.
I did not want to simply give or receive gifts – such as candy and greeting cards, which would be devoured or set aside within moments – without leaving a trace of the holiday’s true significance.
Feb. 14 is an opportunity to appreciate the ones we love and perhaps take for granted on other days of the year, so on this past Valentine’s Day, I informed my husband that we would be switching rolls in order to truly understand and appreciate what we both do for one another year round.
For the entire festive day, each of us were to assume the roles and responsibilities of the other one, minus actually dressing the part.
When he first woke up on Valentine’s Day, he started getting ready to go fishing with a buddy of his. I informed him that he must first make the bed, vacuum, prepare breakfast, wash the dishes and feed the dog as I do each day, leaving no time for a leisurely morning of enticing fish into a boat.
When he finished the chores, he said he was going out to the shed to work on a wood-turning craft. I gently mentioned that it was time to get caught up on some laundry, feed the dog again, make lunch, wash the dishes and clean the toilet – we have two of them. After scowling, he did the chores while I fiddled around in the shed.
Later in the day, he said he was going to play a few video games in the den. I let him know that was great if he could first water the porch plants and sit with the neighbor’s 2-year-old daughter, since I told them that I would. They wanted to go out to dinner and celebrate Valentine’s Day. He agreed to baby-sit – after all, we did have an agreement.
At the end of the day, it was now time for me – I mean him – to make dinner, do the dishes and clean the kitchen, as well as feed the dog again and sew a patch on a pair of his britches.
He asked if I could take the garbage out for him as he was exhausted and, of course, I said that I would.
Later in the evening, when everything was done around 9 p.m. or so, I mentioned to him that I had forgotten to take the garbage out and that I was also in the mood for a “little romance.” He said he had a headache, to which I let him know that was fine, it was getting late anyway and I wanted to get up early in the morning and go fishing again.
The next day, his buddy and I crushed it out on the lake, reeling in 13 huge trout and a few other fish.
I don’t think he wants to switch places with me anymore.
Anngee Quinones-Belian of Murphy is the Scout’s humor columnist. Email her at anngeeq@gmail.com.