...Photo of Nana and Grampy cannot be found! Its such a cute one too, taken on their 50th wedding anniversary with Nana holding a bunch of 50 red roses, kissing Grampy, Ill keep looking!…

Once, a long time ago, I am embarrassed to say that it is may actually have been when I was at University and old enough to know better, I’m not sure, anyway, I went to stay with my grandparents in Gawler for a while. Valentine’s Day was coming soon, and during a quiet moment with Grampy I asked him what he was going to get for Nana. He kinda scoffed and said “Nothing!” I was shocked. He must have seen the look on my face as he added, “We haven’t done that for ages, we’re too old for that!”

I couldn’t believe him. I checked with Nana. “What are you going to get for Grampy for Valentine’s Day?” She gave me the same response, same reaction. Now I was truely shocked because I couldn’t believe she really didn’t expect anything, couldn’t believe that both of them would let the day go by, hearing all about it and thinking, ‘that’s nothing to do with us’. I got stuck into her, I tried to persuade her that it would be such a surprise, a lovely thing to get him something small. She protested that he wouldnt do the same for her and would be embarrassed to receive something. I told her not to worry, the giving was the important thing, wasn’t it? She couldn’t argue.

So then I got on Grampy’s case, gave him the same spiel, and when we went out shopping the next day I secretly helped both of them buy a small present for each other. When we got home from shopping, Nana snuck into my room so we could wrap his present (a couple of heart-shaped chocolates). Just a minute after she had snuck back out again, Grampy snuck in to do the same (some scented wooden balls for her clothes drawer). I remember thinking “Whew, that was close!”

When I think back on it, I suspect them of having spoken to each other about it without my knowledge. I wonder if after Nana snuck out, she told Grampy it was his turn to sneak in. I wonder if they told each other about what was going on: “Has Jo talked to you about Valentine’s Day?” “Oh, so she’s got you into this as well?”, and giggled about my excess romanticism together in bed. Who knows, maybe they didn’t.

Valentine’s Day finally came and at breakfast, they exchanged their gifts with a great deal of embarrassment and small amounts of shyness and mock surprise. There was an awkwardness between them for the rest of the morning. I was pleased and satisfied, but also aware that I had stirred up something beneath the surface, something that i didn’t really understand. I was the author of the event, but the consequences were beyond me. Too late, I started to wonder what love was like after that many years together, what kind of love still existed between them, what they thought of my attempt to bring some silly romance back into the mix.

Actually, not all the consequences were beyond me: Every year since then I receive a Valentine in the post from Grampy, and every year I think of that particular Valentine’s Day. I think it was my best one. Big hugs and a smoochy kiss to every boy and girl I have had the honour of loving.

• MJ said on 05/02/14 at 11:28 PM.....

  You cheeky little cupid you!

• T said on 05/02/15 at 11:54 PM.....

  I had a lovely valentines feast on my couch last night….  one chocolate “Guilt” and a white chocolate “Innocence” from the yummy chocolate shop Ash took me to.  Then Ash rang and my day was complete…