DH and I started dating right after Valentine's Day a long time ago. So, our first Valentine's Day together, we had been dating almost 1 year. I'm allergic to almost anything scented whether it's candles, soap, lotion, fabric softener, deodorant... Well, you get the picture. Clearly, I can't use perfume. Nor did I use any kind of scented anything in the almost year that I had been dating DH, and I did not hide this fact from him. I bet you can see where I'm going with this story.
Here it is, our 1st Valentine's Day: I was so excited to see what he was going to give to me. Honestly, I have absolutely no idea what gift I gave DH, but neither of us will ever forget his gift to me: a perfume gift set. Not just a small bottle, but a whole gift set with perfume, body wash and lotion. I feigned delight, but the surprise was real. And so was the hidden disappointment. I tried to put it aside, telling him I'd try it later. But he suggested I open it and put some on. So, not to hurt his feelings, I did.
Immediately, my skin began itching; I started to get phlegm-y and sniffle-y; the headache wasn't far behind. Fortunately for me, in those days, DH worked as a cameraman for a local TV station during the evenings. Consequently, DH had only his dinner hour between the evening and 10 o'clock news to see me on that Valentine's Day. As soon as he left I attempted to scrub the scent from my skin.
I never opened that box again. He never mentioned it. I kept it just in case he remembered it and asked about it, but he didn't. At the end of that second year, near Christmas, I decided to tell him the truth so that he NEVER made that mistake again. And he didn't, but even 15 years later we still joke about the ill-fated gift of perfume.
The Scoop
What's the Best/Worst Valentine's Day gift you've ever received; or even birthday, anniversary or Christmas gifts? My Mother-in-Law has some good stories on this topic, but that's not for me to share. I know you've got stories. Come on, dish....
Anna



















