Valentine’s day, for me, has always been associated with work.
Mid-Elementary: Rosanne and I were made to wear dresses (it seemed age-appropriate) and stand by the top of the Main Dining stairs to give out flowers [or whatever the giveaway was that year] to the female guests upon leaving;
High School: We were “promoted” to serving free Punch and Peanuts for guests in the Waiting Room;
After College (1996-2009): Valentine’s eve or night was spent in hotels (Agot-days), bars (Brix-days), or campuses -like the U.P. Fair- (MOJOFLY……….Sugarfree-days);
Last year: I was back in Alfredo’s. I ran [and ran around] the Kitchen, for once.
But not this year!
I spent the whole day in the mall (running errands, paying bills, pampering self…).
I was very surprised to find that the malls were unusually “peaceful” on Valentine’s day. The only busy stores seemed to be Flower Shops; Apparently, restaus in malls (even the “romantic” ones) aren’t as hectic on Valentine’s day as stand-alone establishments. God has been sooooo good to Alfredo’s these past 43 years!
Driving out of the mall, I seriously battled with myself on whether I should follow to Alfredo’s to check up on operations or head straight home. If I went to Alfredo’s, stress would surely welcome me with open arms; If I went home, guilt (for not helping out in Alfredo’s) would surely be waiting for me. That’s what I get for working on Valentine’s day all these years! Since my night was doomed either way, I decided to go home ;P
