The Valentines Day Stampede
Feb 14th, 2007 by What's Gotta Go
This morning I experienced something that really made me laugh. I wouldn’t say this necessarily has to be something that has to go, but I couldn’t not share it here.
Valentines Day was most definitely invented by a woman. I don’t have any historical research to back this up, but even if you show me something to the contrary I won’t believe you. Just another reason for women to make their man show them their love with their time and wallet. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not exactly complaining about it, just calling it for what it is. I love my wife, and if this gives me an excuse (read that kick in the butt) to get out there and do something to show my feelings, I’m on it.
The guys at work and I all headed to Costco, because if there is any place that screams romance it’s Costco. Actually, any seasoned V-day participant knows that Costco is the best option around for a good set of flowers at a decent price. I’ve been a loyal visitor there every year on Feb 14th for as long as I can remember. Usually I am trying to squeeze it in later in the day, so the pickings are a bit slimmer by then. Today we decided to be there early and get the better selection.
Apparently we are not the only enlightened husbands in the valley because we arrived to find a huge contingent of men waiting for the doors to open. This is Costco though, so we weren’t worried. There would be enough flowers to go around. Looking around though I could see more than a few furrowed brows as more men continued to arrive prior to the grand opening. The concern was written on their faces as they knew they had to beat these other guys in there to get the best flowers for their gals. Actually, what I think really worried them was the idea that they would be rushed into picking out their flowers ’cause if they dallied, everyone else would snatch up the good ones.
I decided right then I had to turn this into a bull rush. When the big doors began to roll back I timed my advance to the door so I passed through with a slight graze to my hair yet without a break in my stride. The greeter at the door mentioned she would like to see member cards, and the novices of the group stopped to fish them out. The advanced shoppers of the bunch continued on at full steam.
This is where it got fun. I was in a group of a dozen or so guys leading the pack, right in the middle of them. We were carrying on at a decent clip towards the middle of the store where they flowers are kept – not running, just a brisk walk. Time to test the resolve of these guys to win at this unspoken contest. If there was anything that has to go in this story, it is the innate need to make a competition out of the dumbest things. Every guy wants to win, even if there is nothing really to win; we can’t help it. So, I picked up the pace.
My sudden increase was immediately noticed and matched a brief moment later by the entire group. They knew I was making my move but none wanted to give up pole position. The gauntlet was thrown and the race was on. We hit the first set of isles and the group split up with some taking the direct route and others cutting through other isles to hide the fact that they were going to break into a full on run once out of site.
I nearly doubled over laughing, but instead slowed my pace a bit and let the others get ahead. I arrived a few seconds after the initial group and of course there were hundreds of bouquets to choose from. My sweetheart received her flowers and I left with a good story to brighten my day. Hopefully it brightened yours a bit as well.
I would pay good money for the store security videotape to get to watch The Great Race for the floral department! :) Could make the Top 10 rental list at BlockBuster! I never knew Costco was such a hot spot!
Ever watched a general admission Donny concert when they finally open the doors – there is no subtlety there…it’s a flat-out “heart bursting in your chest” run – and that is why there are so few spike heels worn at his concerts…hard to run in them! :)
Having met your sweet wife, I’m sure she loved your Costco story as much as the flowers themselves!
Living where we just got snow & ice, we spent a romantic Valentine’s Day getting something that screams romance even more than Costco….Home Depot to get a snow blower! Hubby is still outside taking care of the snowy, icy mess outside while I sip low-carb hot chocolate & surf the internet inside. Just one of the many things he does every day to show his love…he’s a keeper! :)
LOL – Ah, I can see it now….the fear in all the guy’s faces knowing that today is the day they CAN’T screw up (come home emty handed). I for one am a women who doesn’t expect anything on Valentine’s Day. I call it “amateur day”….or just another day Hallmark made up for that extra sales boost after the Holidays. Either way….I would rather have the money go to a pair of Manolo’s and not to flowers that die in a few days. Although – give me chocolate (not Hershey’s or Nestle) it has to be dark chocolate from Le Maison Du Chocolate (only four boutiques in the world – two in Manhattan). Better yet, cold hard cash is always good -since I know what I love I would rather pick it out myself. Not all women are high maintence. LOL
Happy Valentines Day,
Marilyn :)
LOL! Yup…your story brightened my day too! Oh, I’m with Darlene/VA… I want to see the video!
Being on the East Coast, we are one of the many couples who had to postpone Valentine’s Day. So much snow and freezing rain, that Hubby had to stay over work last night…and barely made it home tonight. Mexican Restaurant Here We Come…Welll,, maybe tomorrow!
LOL Jeremy thanks for sharing! I posted my take on V-Day too today….from a female angle. :) I’m with Darlene…cheesy romance is overrated! HA!
My husband is a romantic, caring & thoughtful person all the time, but it is the little day-to-day things that mean the most. He always teases me & asks what I want on Christmas, my bday, Valentine’s Day…though he knows exactly what I want – a note/letter from him. My most cherished things he’s given me are those beautiful “from the heart” letters. Last year he wrote me a 4 page letter that just melted me. Because he asked me if he could read it to me out loud! He let me videotape him reading it to me – so I have it on video now – reading it with emotion & looking up at me at different parts – I will cherish it forever! True romance comes from the heart!
I’ve become involved with a company where you can write your own books & create your own greeting cards…will use those for my family from now on as they can truly be personalized. My husband up & surprised me the week before Christmas with a trip to NY – so for Valentine’s Day I made him a card with a few photos from our trip. You can see a .pdf file of it here:
http://preview.heritagemakers.com/PreviewImages/170843/178553/FullPreview.pdf
Jeremy, that was just so funny! You write very well, I could visualize the whole thing. Haha!!! Glad you were able to get your wife flowers, and you actually worked for them, you didn’t just pick up the phone and order them. Hope you and your wife had a lovely Valentines Day!
Thank you for making me smile. Our V-Day here in Detroit was spent digging out of the almost 2 feet of snow good ol’ Mother Nature was so kind to share with us ..thus causing every school in the state to close.