GIFTS OF LOVE

My husband has made many Valentine's Days memorable for me over our four-plus decades of marriage.  The one that most stands out in my mind was eight years ago. 

On the evening of February 14, 2002, he came home from work.  I had prepared one of his favorite meals. . . Chicken Ala King.  As he came in the family room, I handed him a glass of red wine and we sat down on the sofa to talk a bit before we ate dinner.  He soon excused himself and went upstairs.  When he came down, he had changed into some casual clothes.  I didn't think anything of that. . . but, then, I noticed he had his glasses on, which meant he had taken out his contacts.  This was not at all a normal behavior pattern for him that early in the evening.

 Shortly, he turned to me and said, "We need to go to the hospital." 

"Why?", I asked. 

"Because I think I'm having a heart attack," he answered.

We soon found ourselves in an emergency room with all sorts of medical flurry going on about him.   Yes, he was having a heart attack, but they were able to get things under control pretty fast. 

The next day, it was determined he had blockages that would require surgery.  Because they had given him so much blood thinner the night before, the surgery had to wait two more days.  On February 18th he had three by-passes performed.  While that was the most frightening time of our married lives, it was also a gift. 

Had he not realized that the pressure he was feeling in his back was probably a heart issue, it would have been a matter of time before  the blocked arteries caused  an irreversible health crisis.

Since his heart attack, he has taken better care of himself than any of the years prior to that Valentine's Night. . .and I have NEVER fixed Chicken Ala King again.

                         *   *   *    *   *   *   *   *   *    *   *   *   *   *   *   *

When he came home from work today, he had brought me a couple of Valentine's gifts. 

In one hand, he had a bouquet of fresh flowers.

 

In the other hand was an item he had picked up at the pharmacy. . . . for me . . . .cuz I'm going to need this for a little  routine exam I'll be having soon. 

Now THAT'S true love!

THE STONE RABBIT wanted to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. 

  

  Please visit Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND for a long list of bloggers with more Pink Saturday Valentine Fun to share with you.

Also, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Beverly and her family as she recovers from her recent surgery!

DANA

Comments

[heather]

aww, you two love birds are perfect together! how scary what happened 8 years ago. So glad everything worked out and you're both still rockin on!

[Keetha]

Oh my - - - what a Valentine's Day THAT was back in 2002!!!

I am CRACKING up over this year's gift. So fun/funny/sweet - - - in a very CLEANSING way!!!

:-)

[Ceekay]

I must be very emotional for valentine's day...cuz that brought tears to my eyes...how scary, but how wonderful that he is well and able to bring you such a memorable gift!!

[Brenda]

Oh man, I'm all chocked up. What a guy! I'm so happy to read of true love. Really, it's so hard to find and even harder to keep. Your husband's "practical" side reminds me of my Dad. LOL!
He's a keeper. May you enjoy many Valentines together, in good health. B=)

[Nancy]

I didn't know he'd had a heart attack! (I know first hand how scary that is - mine had a heart attack a year and a half ago.) Wake up calls are scary but thank goodness for second chances. And third! You just can't find many couples celebrating 40+ valentines together anymore (except in my small world!). I think we're the last of a dying breed! I'm glad to be a part of it aren't you? Here's to many more for you and your sweetheart, Dana. xoxo Nancy

[Jeanne]

Good morning Dana, you did tell me about your husbands heart attack but I didn't know when it happened. Wow, I would never cook Chicken Ala King again either.
I agree it was a very good valentine gift even though it didn't seem so at the time.

Your flowers are lovely the other is no fun at all. I hope this means you will have a colonoscopy. Checking the colon is sooo important. If that is what is happening. I hope that is all it is. Good luck.

Wishing you a happy Valentines Day my dear friend.

Love, Jeanne

[Gabriela]

Happy Valentine's Day!

~ Gabriela ~

[Tami Kenner]

Dana..that story was so scary...yet with a very happy ending..Thank goodness for that blessing.
Happy Valentine's Day! xo Tami

[Sheila]

Dana, your story brought tears to my eyes, and I know how grateful you must feel that his life was spared. Praise God!

And I hope your procedure goes well. I have had one before, and the prep is worse than the procedure. Just be sure you do it way ahead of time. Also, you might want to check into getting some Desitin. ;-) See if that's permissable.

Happy Pink Saturday Valentine's to you, the Stone Rabbit, and your sweet sweetheart...

XO,

Sheila :-)

[Anne Fannie]

Oh Dana, that is a memorable Valentines!
I am so glad to hear your sweet Valentine is taking care of himself.
Happy Valentines and Pink Saturday~
Hugs, Ann

[Pat H]

Dana, so glad your sweet Valentine is take care of himself. Beautiful love story thanks for sharing and take care...Pat H
Happy Valentines...

[Terri Morse]

I'm so glad the story had a happy ending, Dana! Your Valentine's gift that year was your hubby's recovery. Your gift to yourself and him this year is taking care of yourself. I hope you both will be celebrating many more happy years together. Have a wonderful week! Hugs, Terri

[kayellen]

Happy PS~~~
I love this..such a blessing to see God work, scary but healing at the same time.

xoxo
Kay Ellen

[Jacalyn @ RME Boutique]

What a sweet hubby you have! Thank goodness he's still around for more Valentine's Days! God bless you both! Oh and the Stone Rabbit, ha!

Hugs,
Jacalyn
www.rmeboutique.com

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Dana, Your husband certainly was courageous!! You were definitely given a gift that day when he quickly realized what was going on with himself. I am so glad there was a good ending to your story. I wish you many many more Valentine's days together!!

[Lori]

I am glad he is okay! My hubby said the prep is worse than the exam.

[Judy]

That is true love! And I'm so glad hubby's story had a happy ending. Hope you have many many more Happy Valentine's Days.

Take care,
Judy

[Shelia]

HI Dana! Oh, what a story! So glad your hubby got through that terrible ordeal!
Bless your heart! I hope the prep isn't too bad! My hubby says that's the worst part. I need to do this and just keep putting it off. Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;O

[The Pleasures of Homemaking]

Good thing he recognized the symptoms! My husband is such a bad patient he'd probably just try to pass it off!

Happy Valentine's Day to you both!

Manuela

[alaurajane]

OH Dana that must have been so frighting for you both.. so happy it had a happy ending,, tears in my eyes now.... love the flowers he brought you,, and the other gift,, hope that goes well for you too..
Happy Pink Saturday; and
Happy Valentine's Day

Hugs;
Alaura

[Maggie]

Okay it's true love when you get THAT for Valentine's Day!

Happy Pinks!

[Pat]

Hi Dana

So glad that all turned out well for your husband! Recognizing the symptoms he was having and going to the ER saved his life, for sure!
My husband did the same thing to me on my 48th birthday but thank goodness his symptoms turned out to be GERD (reflux) It was a scary episode, non the less.

I've had colonoscopies x2. The prep is the worse part. Treat yourself to ice cream afterwards :-)

Happy valentine's Day!
Hugs, Pat

[Mermaid Debbie]

OH, wow... that was a special story. Amazing that he knew what was happening and so calming got himself ready. The gift he got you this year is pretty funny. Gosh, have fun. I took my husband for one of those last year and he quite enjoyed the napping all the next day. Hope it is all good news. Happy Valentine's Day.

[caren]

Beautiful story! My hubby had quadruple bi-pass surgery 8 years ago. so scary! What a sweetie you have to bring you flowers...and I suppose the other too. Let me know how that goes - I need to do that too. Happy Valentine's Day and Pink Saturday.
Oh, we are suppose to get snow too - so tired of winter. I think you always send it our way. lol

[Susan Freeman]

I have been through a heart attack scare with my husband too. As much as I love decorating, cooking, antique shopping etc, I am mostly thankful for my husband and family. They truly come first in my life and everything else is just frosting on the cake. Your husband sounds like a sweetheart. May you both stay well and have many more Valentine's Days to celebrate!

Love,
Susan
xxoo

[Sandra]

What memorable Valentine's Days. Got a kick out of the presents for this year - love the flowers - need the same "exam" myself. lol

Thanks for the unique Valentine's Day stories.

[lynne@lynnesgiftsfromtheheart]

Hi Dana, I remember the scare my husband gave me 8 years ago come Sept. when he also had a heart attack. He was already scheduled for 5 by passes for the next day, we flew up 210 and got him there in time. There was no damage to his heart at the time and the procedure was done the next day. The last 3 years have been a different story entirely. I hope the upcoming procedure goes well... I looked up your Butler's Pantry dishes on Gift Collector, they are gorgeous.. might have to put those on my "wish" list.. Happy Valentine's Day! hugs ~lynne~

[Susan]

Wow! That's quite a story! I'm so glad all turned out well. And good luck with your "procedure." I'm due for one myself. (Can't say I'm looking forward to it!)

Happy Valentine's Day.

[Beverly]

Ah, true love. And, I know what procedure you're going to have. I'm glad you are taking care of yourself.

And, I remembered when I saw your photo. Alstroemeria! Love it!

Happy Valentine's Day a bit belated to you, TSR and your true love.

[Donna]

What a sweet hubby you have!

I can't believe how calm and clear thinking your hubby was when he had his heart attack-WOW!

I'm glad everything turned out ok :)

[Mary]

Oh Dana, what a horrible experience. I'm so thankful he pulled through and is all right.
I had to laugh at his thoughtful gifts...only your best buddy would do that for ya, right?

[Carrie]

Just saw this, touching, cute and funny. Love you guys!