In March we commemorate the time Saint Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland.

In February we commemorate the time Saint Patrick drove the chocolate turtles out of Switzerland.

At 7:30 AM on V-Day, Trish was dressed and moving fast. She said, "I'll be right back."

I thought, "Oh, how sneaky. She left a card or gift in the car. Oh, that's the car starting... and that's her driving away... well, she'll be back in a few minutes."

So, I got up and discovered that she'd already made huge cards for the both of us with a list of Sweet things that we do.

Orion and I then made heart-shaped pancakes from scratch by mostly following a recipe from the Joy of Cooking. I substituted a mix of Rice/ Almond flour, Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flour, and Barley flour for the wheat flour.

Around 8:00 AM Trish returned with two grocery bags that included heart-shaped bagels and strawberry cream cheese.

Orion chose the bagels, and we put the pancakes in the fridge.

Then we left for school and work and working-at-school. I made pop-up Lego-inspired Valentine's cards for Orion.

I'd arranged for Uncle Nick to come and babysit. He was supposed to arrive by train around 4:40. Trish would ordinarily be at St. Martin's until 3:30, but she'd work later and pick him up.

However, at 2:00 my phone rang. Uncle Nick asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm working," I said and asked, " What are you doing?"

"I'm standing at the Olympia/ Lacey train station," he replied.

"I'd love to pick you up, but I don't have the car. I expected you on the later train. Do you have Trish's cell number? (Yes) Call her and get back to me." I instructed.

At 2:14 I hadn't heard back yet, so I tried Trish. She usually leaves her phone off during sessions. It's not polite to interrupt a peaceful massage with an electronic Charge of the Light Brigade.

Edison wax cylinder version

I let her know the situation, since he hadn't reached her. At 2:41 [synchronistic inverse of 2/14] I got a text message from him: "Trish is picking me up at 3:30". I replied: "kewl"

Our babysitter, Uncle Nick, a former member of Team 1425, the Wilsonville Robotics team. [another synchronistic inverse of 2/14 again, with a 5 thrown in for change]