Even though my ex husband and I are divorced, I can say for certain that his mama trained him right when it came to holiday gift-giving. He always wrote out a very nice card (because he wouldn’t actually SAY the nice things, but he did WRITE quite well) and there was always jewelry of some sort. That much I could count on. Ever since those days, not so much. I’ve never dated much and I was certainly not the type out on the hunt for just anybody to fill the empty slot. SO typically, Valentine’s Day was just another day.

I always did it up for the kids when they were little and in school. And some of that has carried over even though they’re grown. I usually just make them a nice dinner and/or a special dessert or something. This year, I brought out a pan that I bought when they were in elementary school.

And I made Chocolate Lava Cake in the shape of hearts with a side of vanilla ice cream. This truly is a really quick and easy and impressive recipe. My oldest gobbled two of them down in a flash. He thinks they’re the bomb. My youngest spent the day with . . . a girl (I won’t say who because I’m trying to be nice) so he didn’t get one. It’s too bad because I’m pretty sure he’d like them too. My mom came by and ate one. She enjoyed it as well.

I suppose I should have sprinkled it with powdered sugar or something to make a prettier presentation (I’ve been watching too much Food Network), but that was an afterthought. I also need to work on better focus and exposure and such as that with my camera. It’s a work in progress, let’s say.

Anyway, the story doesn’t end there. Nope. I knew that my oldest was coming by for a late lunch before going to work that afternoon, so I went to the store that morning to shop for groceries and the necessary chocolatey goodness to make the Chocolate Lava Heart Cakes. When I got home, I saw that he was already there. I didn’t think a thing about it. I just thought, “He’s out early today.” No big deal.

I unload the Jeep and haul the bags into the house only to be met at the door by my son acting a little frantic. Again, I didn’t think much. He asked if there was more out in the truck and I told him no and to just let me in the house. I took two steps in . . . and this is what I saw.

I can’t tell you how surprised I was. My boy is broke as a joke, so I wasn’t expecting anything other than, “What’s for dinner?” or “Feed Me!” But my sweet boy managed to buy his mama some flowers for Valentine’s Day. It chokes me up to think how sweet he can be when I’m not expecting it.

Now I can’t stop taking pictures of them. They’re so beautiful. It makes me REALLY wish I knew how to utilize all the cool features on my camera to get truly awesome photos. Again. . . that challenge is in progress.

Aren’t they gorgeous?

Even Monkey thought so. Chris got this picture of her. She’s always so curious. I’d have named her Curious George if she weren’t a girl.

“Step away from the flowers Monkey! They’re mine!!”

How was YOUR Valentine’s weekend?