Show me you love me

So the flyers are about and the sale signs are up all over town for Feb 14th.  All the stores are cashing in on the heart of the matter so to speak.

Girls of all ages in my neighbourhood, are comparing notes on their men and judging their relationship status on the size of the gift. 
You have an idea how odd it is to me to be checking my mail and hearing two 17 year olds as they walk by, talking about trips that they are going on with their boyfriends, all at the guy's wallet?  Crazy.  When I was 17 back in 1991 - yes 20 years ago- the big gift was a handful of roses.   When did we go from $35 dollars if you were lucky gifts to $1500.00 gifts? 
I'm shocked to be honest.

Proves how old I am too doesn't it. 6 weeks from 37 and counting. Then I think I'll stop having birthdays.I think 37 will be a nice age to be for the next fifteen years don't you?

Honestly, the best gift a man could ever give me is his time. His time and attention.  Actually showing up when he says he's going to and being completely present without distractions. 

If    When I find that right guy, and we get to the long term element of things, then the only gifts needed would be ones that are an investment for our home.  As in building me a bookcase, or buying us a backyard grill, or building a wine rack.  And you know if he's lousy with handling the wood   not much of a carpenter, then going to Canadian Tire or Home Depot and buying a premade bookcase or wine rack  and spending the 2hours it would take him to put the easy to assemble -if you bother to read the instructions- that always seems to be missing a few nails -item together for me, then damn that's what I'm talking about.  Throw in a dishwasher or a washer/dryer and I know he's fully intent on keeping me around. Something that is practical and is an investment in his future too. 

I totally get this from my Grandparents.  {mom's parents}  as my Grandfather was a carpenter for years.  He had been a fisherman for the first half of his life when they were in Newfoundland, but once they moved to Ontario, he became a carpenter.  When he got to the point where he couldn't work out on building sites any longer, he ended up making patio furniture and wooden toys for a living.  Even made the horses on the merry-go-round, for the one local theme park on the outskirts of town.

So, yes, I want a man who is semi-domestic in that sense of the word.