My husband travels for his job, and he was out of town on Valentine’s Day. Being that I love to celebrate on Valentine’s Day and did not want to do it alone, I decided to ask friends, neighbors, and family over for a chocolate and libations Valentine’s Happy Hour. Granted, it was a last-minute invitation; however, I decided to do it anyway and see how the evening would unfold.
So at 4 p.m., Jan Becker came for a visit and some chocolates. She couldn’t stay more than 15 minutes because she had to go and work at the CAM desk. After she left, Bill and Marilyn Berendt stopped in. Bill helped me uncork the wines, and Marilyn helped set out the last dishes of chocolates and heart-shaped marshmallows. I placed a red velvet cake on the table also, which was dusted with a red heart in the middle of it. Thank God for Costco!
So, then Richard and Carol Jean Gawlick arrived, and the party started. Marilyn Berendt is quite the comedian, and of course she had us laughing at a joke she heard earlier in the day over the radio.
Then Suzette and Richard Schmidt arrived, and we enjoyed more wine and chocolates. Following them Were Mary Lou and Joe Oliveri, both looking terrific in red, and planning on an evening out to dinner after the cocktail hour.
Linda Kolbus dropped in also for a visit. At this point, it was decided that we had all just come out of hibernation and it was so great to see everyone, especially on Valentine’s Day, the day officially declared for Love. And I must say there was plenty of love, happiness, and joy flowing through my living room that evening. I was not alone, and although I wished my husband could have been a part of the celebration, he was with me in spirit anyway.
Then Paul and Joanne Segert arrived, both sporting red sweaters and looking heavenly, and our celebration continued.
I noticed at the end of the evening that it was my neighbors who showed up for the cocktail hour. I could not have chosen a better neighborhood to live in. Everyone here on Spring Creek Drive is like extended family to me. I thank each and every one of you for the gifts of love, joy, laughter, and fun given on Valentine’s Day, and more importantly, these gifts are shared every day here in Neighborhood 10A.
The Angels of love watch and walk amongst us in this neighborhood. Have you come across any in your neighborhood lately? Come on out of hibernation, take a walk to a neighbor’s, and say “Hello!” It will make a difference in their life and yours!
By Linda Cogdill
