Valentine's Day ... with girls

We're in Florida, very near places I've almost been hired over the past year and where we've almost moved.

For whatever reason neither opportunity worked out.

The first was extremely disappointing because it was something I really coveted.

The second was most frustrating because at the very end they opted for a member of their own Board of Directors ... the one chairing the Search Committee who'd really wanted to hire me.

Driving the same roads I've driven over the past year with excitement, expectations, hopes and dreams ending in ... missed opportunities.

The difference now is the car is ... FULL ... OF ... GIRLS!

In the back seat the girls are loudly singing today's really crappy pop hits.

The beauty on my right is yelling at them to be quiet so she can tell where I'm going.

"Who's been best on this trip Mommy?" one asks.

"Well it was me," the oldest immediately replies.

"It was not," the other counters.

And they get in a fight which, of course, makes Mommy yell louder for them to shut up so she can tell me where to go.

In the nanosecond of ensuing quiet, Mommy reaches over, rubs my shoulder and asks, "You okay? You seem a little tense and you're driving like a fool."

"I'm great honey," I smile. "I just really want to get there."

What I mean, of course, is to get the Hell out of the car after six hours!

We arrive at the really nice place Mommy booked and, of course, the girls get in a fight over who's sleeping where.

Accessing the Internet, I go to Spotify, find "The Boat Drunks," turn it up and pour myself a very large glass of wine while Mommy negotiates "World Peace."

But you know what?

We have the best time at dinner.

"There is a 15 minutes wait," the waitress informs us.

"That's cool," I reply, "we'll wait in the Bar. You serve minors don't you?"

We were seated pretty immediately.

Our table is full of laughing, telling stories, holding hands, conversations running over each other ... it was a truly remarkable evening ... and the kick off to one Hell of a Valentine's Weekend.

Enjoy yours!

Love yourself if you're not getting enough from others.

In the quiet of this moment I am celebrating the gifts of my life ... because I know all Hell is going to keep breaking loose ... as Hell always should.

Happy Day everyone!