Happy Valentine's Day

Returning to my original question, I remain unable to select the perfect gift. While I understand that another year of life and love is in itself a gift, part of my genetic makeup won’t allow me to go without presenting my wife with something that demonstrates the love and appreciation I feel for her.

Looking for an original gift idea is difficult. Jim Croce stole my idea of saying I love you in a song. So Becca, before you laugh out loud and cover your face in embarrassment, I promise I’m not going to show up at the Primary School to sing you a song, but if I did, what kind of song would it be? Could I somehow mimic the sultry soulfulness of Al Green? Could I paint as clear a picture of lovers' bliss as Marvin Gaye? I doubt it. I may be able to parody one or the other. I may be able coerce your students into singing with me. I may even be able to play a love song over the school’s intercom system, with your principal’s permission of course, before I show up in your room with flowers and candy.

All of these ideas and more enter my mind each February as this weekend’s holiday draws closer. So, what do I get? How do I express my love? I guess I’ll have to step out of my comfort zone and tell you I love you in front of the thousands of readers who glance at these pages each week. Here goes ...

I love you when you wake up on my side of the bed, I love you when you care so much about your students at school, I love you when you selflessly give up your free time to help your grandparents.

I love you when you put your freezing-cold feet on me, I love you when you ask me to share the couch and “cuddle,” I love you when you tell me the dinner I prepared tastes good. I love you when you let me vent and don’t try to give me advice, I love you when your patience allows you to wait for me to go on a long run after an even longer day at work before eating dinner together.

I love your eyes, I love you when you let me have the television remote during football season, I love your addiction to desserts, I love you when you walk so softly through the house while I nap, I love your laugh. I love your artistic talent, I love you when we joke, I love you when we cry, I love you when you the turn the electric blanket on for me before I come to bed, but most of all, I love you for loving me too!

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Hasco Craver is executive director of the Commerce Downtown Development Authority. He lives in Commerce.