Page 13 of Valentine's Day with the Guy Next Door

I can’t wait to see you again and catch up. The wedding was so beautiful; I think the whole of Snowflake will be talking about it for years to come. I think Will thinks there’s a big party every January 31st and he gets to dress up in a page boy suit and steal the show.

Will is just the cutest, sweetest boy. He’s already started writing little stories, so we have our hopes he’ll live up to his famous namesake. No pressure LOL!

Hope you’re doing something romantic for Valentine’s Day. It will always be special to me...

I stop writing and gaze out of the window. Valentine’s isn’t just the day when Roman and I got together, it’s the date where I learned I needed to be true to myself. I couldn’t live my life following other people’s expectations of who I should be, or making up for my family’s mistakes. Everything good in my life has come from recognizing I had to do what I needed to be happy.

When I discovered myself and was true to that.

I set up my own freelance business writing greeting cards at home, working with Tannen’s wife Hollee who is an illustrator. It’s really taken off and I love crafting special rhymes to go with Hollee’s quirky drawings.

Our house on Blitzen Street is another thing that makes me happy. I’ve always loved these quaint old houses - that’s why I was so upset when Mr Paris said he wanted to build a mall here.

All that changed once Mr Paris - I can’t get used to calling him Edward - and Bette got together; her family are old Snowflake through and through, and I think he fell under their spell. He started by rebuilding the barn and then he restored the Blitzen houses, working in partnership with a local firm. The project was a big success and he now has a regeneration business going which brings new life to small town history.

My Dad finished his term as mayor three years ago. He campaigned for Mr Montag, Roman’s dad (and my father-in-law) to be the next mayor. Their friendship goes from strength to strength, helped in no small part by their small, precocious grandson who they both adore.

Roman and I got married on Valentine’s Day a year after we first got together. No lilies in my bridal bouquet, by special arrangement with the floral designer (my Mom).

Roman and Will are building a snowman in the yard and my heart overflows with joy. My boy has dark hair like his Dad and green eyes like mine. They wave at me and Roman gestures for me to come and join them.

I make my way carefully down the stairs - I’m seven months pregnant with Will’s sister and I’ve started doing everything a little slower. Wrapping up in my big coat, pom-pom hat and snow boots, I open the door to the yard.

“Mom look at my snowman!” Will is jumping up and down with excitement.

“He’s a very handsome snowman! Does he have a name?” I smile down at Will.

“Crab!” Will is adamant, the way he often is. I exchange a glance with Roman. My son never stops surprising me.

“Oh hey there Crab. Nice to meet you.” I shake the stick at the side of the snowman.

“No Mom, we all need to hold hands. In a circle.” Will takes my hand and the snowman’s hand, with Roman on the other side.

“Give me your hands if we be friends…” Roman’s been listening to some Shakespeare audio plays and he loves to quote things at me, just for my surprised reaction. A huge 6’4” gorgeous fireman quoting Shakespeare is really something.

I stand there holding hands with my little family and feel a kick. Our unborn daughter, Portia, is making her presence known.

I have my happy ever after, here in Snowflake Falls, with my Romeo next door.

All’s well that ends well.