Today is St. Valentine’s Day. A day for flowers, chocolates, card, and telling the one you love how special they are. As great as that is, we do things a little different.

When Carlo and I met, he told me he does NOT do major/commercial holidays. So, in other words, on Valentine’s Day, I shouldn’t expect flowers, chocolates, or any sentimental object. I know what you’re thinking… “What?!?! Why?!?! You should get upset!!!” Truth is, (get ready for mushy love stuff), everyday is Valentine’s Day for us. Every day, when we talk on the phone, he tells me he loves me and misses me. When he comes home from work, he tells me how much he missed me and how he thought of me often. At night, before we go to sleep, he kisses me on the nose and tells me he loves me. HELLO!!! ROMANTIC RIGHT?!?!?!

So, on this special day, I was thinking back on all of our Romantic Non-Valentine’s Day moments we’ve shared. I want to share my favorites with you. (including today’s events)

Moment #1- Our Engagement
We were at Hulen Mall in Fort Worth when he said he wanted to go across the street to look at some futons. We stopped in a parking lot before we got to the light. He asked me if I loved him, I said yes. He asked me if I was sure that I would like to marry him one day and move to Italy, I said yes. He said he loved me and wanted to be with me forever. (we are both crying by the way) He said he would never want to hurt me because it would hurt him and he would always try to never do that. He asked me again if I loved him, I said yes, and he said… “Then let’s go inside and get your ring.” I looked up and we were in the parking lot of the Jewelry store.

Moment #2- Dinner in New York City
It was the night we went to the Theater and saw Chicago on Broadway. On the way there, we saw this restaurant we wanted to eat at after the show. We were both dressed up. I was in a dress and heels, Carlo was in slacks, shirt and jacket. After the show was over, we walked back to the restaurant to find that it was closed. We were tired but hungry too so, we just found a pizza place but we couldn’t sit inside because they were closing too. So, we took 2 slices to go and 2 cokes. So, there we are, walking along the streets of New York all dressed up, with a pizza in one hand and coke in the other. We saw the fountains across from Radio City Music Hall and sat there. It was amazing. I felt like I was in a movie. People were walking by us looking at us like we were just the cutest people ever. We couldn’t stop laughing at the situation but it was romantic and memorable.

Moment #3- Lunch in Hawaii
It was one of the only nice days in Hawaii so, we decided to take advantage and go to the beach. We stopped at the ABC store and bought some sandwiches, pineapple and gatorade. As we found our spot we just had a picnic on the beach. It was peaceful and we enjoyed every minute of it.

There are many more that I will not post because it’s kind of late now, but I will tell you about our Valentine’s Day.

First, we decided to go to the Museo Accorsi, which is a Museum of Decorative Arts. They were having a special price for Admission- 2 for the price of 1! I love discount dates! Afterwards we got hungry and stopped to get some Pizza and watch the Street Performers in Piazza Castello.

Then it was off to Fnac which is a store that sells Electronics and Books. After looking around and buying more books that we don’t need, we decided to go home. On our way to the Metro, Carlo said he had a surprise for me. That surprise…. was GROM!!! Yes… GROM again! So, we sat and ate our Gelato with pure enjoyment. He looked at me and said, “Happy St. Valentines!”

After coming home and relaxing a bit, we did some other errands before Carlo went to Church. When he returned we had dinner and then went to an activity that my Ward was having. I was so happy that Carlo wanted to go and meet the friends I had made at Church.

Torino 2nd Ward– Valentine’s Day Activity
We played a game- like The Newlywed Game

Danced to some beautiful music

and ate some yummy desserts!

(a waffle with Nutella and whipped cream- it was good!)

We had a great time and even though I didn’t receive flowers or a card… I got something better…. and that’s at least 100 I Love you’s and Happy St. Valentine’s Day’s. They are more valuable and they last a lot longer.