[smc]

I think a true romantic tries to do on random days the things others seem to save only for Valentine's Day. I try to be like that as much as possible. But to answer your specific Valentine's Day question, Kirsty, ere's just one among several I could describe.

Once, a long time ago, I went to an enormous amount of trouble to secure a large quantity of daffodils in February. This required contacting a florist months in advance and convincing her not only to find a source for these flowers, which are never available here at this time of year ("you really don't want roses for Valentine's Day?" she kept asking), but that money was no object. She succeeded, and on Valentine's Day I filled my house with several hundred dollars worth of daffodils, leading from the door to the bedroom. When my lover arrived home, she was led by the flowers to me, where I awaited to help her change and dress for our evening out. She did not know what was in store. I had already packed a small bag for her. Soon a limousine pulled up outside, and I took her to a romantic dinner. We made love in the limo, by the way. After dinner, we were taken to a hotel where I had booked a room for the night, just for a mid-week getaway (I had arranged a day off for her the next day). Waiting in the room were more daffodils, along with a bottle of her favorite liqueur (she was not a champagne drinker) and an array of really good chocolates. We made love all night.

This set me back a whole lot of money, but was worth every penny -- especially just for the smile on her face.

It is unfortunate that Valentine's Day comes when outdoor picnics are next to impossible in my part of the world, but I often plan an indoor one.