Double feature

I have never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day, but I might just have to start. I had such a lovely time on Saturday.

When I picked up Rama that morning, I was greeted with a smile and a dozen tulips! And that was just the tip of the sweet iceberg. He had for me a pile of pretty pink and red parcels, including a children’s book by a Filipina author and the Down With Love DVD. We hopped in my car and headed up the highway to visit my parents and my favorite Aunt and Uncle who were in town from Manila. We spent a few hours at the house, playing boggle and eating pizza. There was also laughter, a lot of laughter.

When night started to fall, we left for Part Two of our day: The date. There was a double feature of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Sabrina at one of my favorite theaters in town. We got there an hour early, because I was so paranoid it would sell out. Of course, it hadn’t yet. They don’t even sell tickets early.

Somehow, Rama convinced them to make an exception, and after buying our tickets, we ran across the street to a little sweets shop and café. I’d passed the café for years, but never bothered to stop inside.

Thank goodness my curiosity finally got the best of me. The shop was a sophisticated version of my childhood heaven! They had heart-shaped cakes, tiny fruit tarts, rows of chocolate and jars of sugary candies. I couldn’t decide on a treat, so I settled for a pot of peppermint tea. We sat in the corner of the cafe with our sketchbooks. Rama drew two fellows at a nearby table, and I drew Rama.

By the time we got back to the theater, there was a line at the box office. We marched right in. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched those two Audrey Hepburn movies — dozens, I’m sure — but seeing it on the big screen felt like I was seeing them for the very first time.

Rama and I shared a heart-shaped box of chocolates in the dark. I couldn’t see which candy was which, but somehow I managed to get all the ones with caramel inside, my favorite.

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