The Most Memorable Valentine’s Day I Ever Had Was…
in 1990 in Chicago, IL. This was very easy to remember because I spent four hours in my car on Lake Shore Drive, trying to go north. How far north? Well, I lived in Hyde Park in an apartment near The University of Chicago where I was in business school studying for my M.B.A. (Yes, that was waaay before I wanted to become a writer). I was traveling north from there to Division Street in downtown Chicago, where my then-boyfriend lived. What should have been a 20-minute drive took four very long hours.
Only stupid people would attempt driving that night when it was a blazing snowstorm. Except I had a trusty Honda Accord! My car was great in snow! I was a great driver! And, it was Valentine’s Day! How could I NOT be with my boyfriend on Valentine’s Day? We had 8pm dinner reservations at some fancy schmancy restaurant that I was not going to miss.
I gave myself extra time and left at 6:30pm. The roads near my apartment were terrible, but I figured once I got on to Lake Shore Drive, it would be smooth sailing to Division Street. As you can guess by now, I was wrong.
Even though it was 1990, I actually had a cell phone. It was my first: a Motorola and it was HUGE. But, it worked.
I called my boyfriend to tell him of my slow progress, but that I hoped to be there soon.
The driving was so harrowing, so tense, so dangerous, that I didn’t call him again.
When I finally arrived at his apartment, it was 10:30pm.
He opened the door and my first words were: “I don’t care what time it is, we are going out to dinner somewhere! And, I’m drinking heavily!”
We ended up walking somewhere nearby and we told the waitress about my ridiculously long drive. And then she brought me my very large vodka and cranberry on the rocks.
We toasted to our 3rd Valentine’s day together, not realizing we would be spending every Valentine’s Day together for the rest of our lives.
Even though, we’ve had 22 more Valentine’s Days together since then, that one is still my favorite because I know I’ll never be that stupid again. Now I know why there is a song called “Dumb Love.”
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh that was an awesome Valentine’s Day story Emily and will tell you this I probably would have done the same thing and I was always the one driving to my boyfriends in my youth, too. My mother used to yell at me that the guy should pick me up and drive, but I didn’t care as long as I got to go out. It is funny though I read that and thought if it was snowing why didn’t he pick her up? Scary, but I am probably turning into my mom more than I’d like to admit, lol!! Seriously great post and thank you as always for linking up with us
I suppose I should have explained in the story that he lived in the “good” part of Chicago and I lived on campus on the south side, where there were no restaurants or nightlife of any kind. So, it only made sense that I would drive to him. But yes, we ARE like our mothers now, scary as that is.:)
Wow, great story. I think everyone needs to have a hard long drive to their love at least once. I was lucky enough to have a long time long distance relationship and made the trip many times. I have never had to face snow like this before though. That sounds so scary.
It was scary, but I was so focused on my destination that I didn’t panic — too much. Thanks for commenting!
Awww that is sweet. And I was all nervous for you (like a mom) even though it was 1990 and you are telling the story now. I had a bag phone in my car for emergencies but I think it was more like 1995 when I got it.
FTSF
Yeah those early phones are like antiques now but at least they came in handy when we needed them.
I love this story! I also drove in a storm like that ONCE and will never try to again.
And how appropriate that we are weathering a monster storm today…it was JUST like this one!
What a sweet story. Gosh, now I’m trying to think that of the last 12 Valentine’s days, which one is memorable. Oh god, I’m coming up with a blank. Crap. Crap. I’ve got some thinking to do….
Trust me Cyndi, this was the only Valentine’s day I could clearly remember…the rest are all a blur!
Oh my God, I loved this! When I got to the part about spending every Valentine’s Day for the rest of your lives together, I did this sort of gasp-aww-smile thing! (Well played, my brilliant writer friend, well played…)
That is a fantastic story, and even better knowing that you got married to him!
Thanks…it’s a good thing I did marry him or else I’d complain that I made all that effort for some guy I never saw again!
I just asked my hubby. Whew! I feel better. He said Valentine’s Day is every day when you’re with the one you love. Hehehe. Yeah, I mean we go hiking or biking or picnicking or otherwise do something together or with friends almost every weekend. So Valentine’s day is never really a big deal for us – we usually try to avoid the crowds, LOL.
And avoiding the crowds is a smart way to go…we rarely go out on Valentine’s Day anymore. My husband prefers to cook, which is fine with me!
Hi, loved this post! I can quite see how you would consider it unforgettable! The vodka sounds so good, made me yearn for evening! (I still have a lot to do, can’t start relaxing yet!) I hope you have many more “good” Valentine celebrations!. Be happy!
Thanks and you are right, that vodka DOES sound good…hmmm. Thanks for commenting!
This story made me laugh pretty hard because I can actually picture this happening, and my reaction would be very much the same. I am from the Chicago land area, so I can picture it in my head.
People here in Ohio, are a bunch of snow ‘tards….It is crazy.
I’m in NY now and we are dealing with an incoming blizzard as I write this…we are probably more ill-equipped for a storm like this than Ohio.
Well, they say love is blind, dumb and all sorts of other things, but isn’t it wonderful, too. Sounds like you earned that drink, forsure.
Oh yes, and I can’t say I stopped at just that one drink either.
Thanks for commenting!
Just goes to show how much a person will go through to be with the ones they love. What a great story!
Aw! I got goosebumps when you said that you would be spending every Valentine’s Day together for the rest of your lives. Awwww!!!
Isn’t it funny how important things like “I have to be with my boyfriend on Valentine’s Day!” used to be that you’d drive four hours in a blizzard? Love it. <3
I know what you mean about how important things for us change because now on Valentine’s Day all I care about is getting a decent box of chocolates!
I never thought about it until this blog, but I’ve only had three girls ever drive over to see me for a date. One was a girl named Marge that I loved, but we were like two trains running side by side but never getting together, one was a state fair queen that wanted me for my body (yeah, I know that’s funny now, but then it was very enjoyable), and my wife of 33 years. Our second date was on a Halloween, and she drove over to my place to watch horror movies on HBO. I had taken a downer, and had passed out. She showed up, got no answer knocking on the door, went back to her house and called me. I answered, told her I’d fallen asleep and to come back over. When she got there, again, I tried to walk to the door, but my legs wouldn’t work. (Really a strong downer … it was a something 750). I crawled to the door, opened it while on my knees, and after she told me I didn’t have to get on my knees to get her to forgive me, told her about the pill as I crawled back to my chair. She had never done drugs and was somewhat horrified. I then asked her if she’d like a Coke, and when she said “Yes”, I told her they were in the fridge and to please get me one, too! lol That was 33 years ago and she hasn’t brought me another Coke since. lol I guess a man doesn’t realize what he has until he has a woman drive to his place to be with him. : ) Great post!
That was hysterical Rich…and the part about her getting you a Coke. You are so lucky she stuck around after that! And just for the record, the main reason I drove over to his place for Valentine’s Day was because I lived on the South Side of Chicago on campus and there were no decent restaurants down there. I wanted fine dining for Valentine’s Day!
Whoa!! Congratulations, you’re about to spend your 23rd year together!! Awesome, Emily!!
23 — it’s a big number, but it feels like a lot less. Guess that’a good thing!
Emily,
I can relate to your “dumb” love thingie…years make us more mature and wanna make us wise decisions with respect to romancing our love.
I am glad you could get a table on that day, and wishing you and your hubby many more valentine’s together
Voted for ya!
Thank you Ruchira!
I can see why you have such fond memories of this Valentine’s day. What a night! I’m glad you still went out after that, because sometimes spur of the moment or unplanned things (in this case it being a very late dinner) are the best things….especially when other plans don’t work out 100%. Congrats on all your Valentine’s together, and wishing you many more!
Found your blog on your 1990 Valentine. Yes, I was on the road as well on that fateful day. I was driving back home from Franklin Park (near O’Hare airport) to my house in Naperville for our Valentine dinner. Normally 45 minute drive turned into an 8 hour ordeal. It took me at 2-3 hours to get on to the I-294 ram and then all miserable from there. No, I did not have a cell phone at the time and my young wife had to worry sick till 2am in the morning. What a Valentine! The only lucky thing I did was to gassed up in the morning before going into work. Many many people simply ran out of gas on the highway and abandoned their cars.
How funny that you experienced that same crazy storm and that you found this blog post describing that Valentine’s night…thanks for reading and commenting!
Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site?
I’m getting fed up of Wordpress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Thanks for visiting my site. I use Wordpress as well.