How I spent Valentine's Day

On my list of favorite holidays, Valentine's Day doesn't rise too close to the top. Part of the reason for that is that I don't have any special man in my life right now. But even when I have had a guy around, the day just doesn't hold a lot of allure for me. It just seems sort of contrived to have one day a year where people feel forced to "show their love" through fancy dinners, flowers, candy, cards, jewelry, or whatever else the mass-marketing folks can push on us. I mean, love is something you express every day in lots of ways and an unexpected single rose now and then is a lot better, to me anyway, than a couple of dozen purchased at a premium price one day a year because all the advertising makes you feel guilty if you don't do it.

Besides, it really feels to me that Valentine's Day has become all about what a man should do or buy for a woman, but not so much what a woman should do or buy for her man. It's a marketing gimmick and I just don't like it.

But there are occasionally things that bring this romantic cynic to a different place. And that's what happened this Valentine's Day. Because this year, I went to a wedding. Not just any wedding, but the wedding of a friend's dad.

Here's the happy couple. Aren't they the cutest thing ever? Frank is 93 and Ruth is 86. They met when Frank moved into the Rose Schnitzer Manor and once they met, they were pretty much inseparable. Frank loves Ruth's dimples. Ruth loves Frank, period.

It restores my faith to see them together.

News crews were there from several of the local stations. There were about 200 guests. Champagne and cake were served after the ceremony. A good time was had by all.

One of the reporters asked Frank what the secret to long-lasting love is. He replied, "Well, treat your bride like you want to be treated, all the time, with respect." Ruth says the minute they met, they just hit it off and they get along so well together. They both say they started talking and they just haven't stopped. As the Rabbi said, "There may be snow on the roof, but these two are proof that there's still fire in the furnace!"

And I, on Valentine's Day, went home smiling.

Mazel tov, Frank and Ruth!