Love Story

As many of you already know, my Van is a private person so I try not to put her and our life center stage in my blog.  But since Valentine’s Day is coming up–which I love as only a femme can; V-Day haters step away now!–I don’t think Van will mind me telling you a little of our own love story.   The truth is, she’s the best thing about my life hands down.  Even after 14 years, I’m a smitten kitten.

Van and I have often surprised each other in little or big ways on Valentine’s Day.  This tradition dates back to our very first V-Day together, when I told her that I couldn’t drive to her city as planned because of the epic snowstorm that was coming.  I was just too nervous to attempt that drive, I said.  Van was super disappointed, I could tell, but she was understanding and of course said she wanted me to be safe.

Then as soon as we got off the phone I hit the road.  You knew that was coming, right?!  Yes, I was crazy enough to drive through a raging BLIZZARD in my little Ford Escort with no anti-lock brakes. (I was a poor grad student then).  Seriously, I’ve never driven in worse conditions–snow, ice, terrible visibility, and wind so severe it blew my car all over the road.  It was positively harrowing.  But somehow I made it to Van’s apt in one piece.

I let myself in and immediately got to work cooking dinner, baking a heart-shaped chocolate cake, decorating the apt, and of course making myself gorgeous. There was a lot to do, but I knew I had enough time because Van would be working late. For a finishing touch, I took a bag of those Necco candy conversation hearts and made a trail from the elevator to the front door of her apt.  (Yes I know it’s cheesy and tacky–that’s the point!)

My little plan worked perfectly.  Van got off the elevator, sad about spending Valentine’s Day without me.  She was grumbling about the V-Day revelers who left all those candy hearts on the floor until she realized that the trail led to her door!  I still remember the look on her face when she opened the door to find me there.  Happy is an understatement.  What did my ensemble look like, you ask?  Mamie Van Doren with a dash of Susie Bright. (It was the 90s, after all.)

Now it’s your turn.  What’s the most romantic thing you’ve done for Valentine’s Day or the most romantic thing someone has done for you?  (For the record, I’m defining “romantic” broadly; I certainly don’t think it has to follow traditional ideas of what constitutes romance or romantic love.)

Sublimefemme Tells All, No. 17

Never underestimate the power of the perfect dress.

Sex Kittenish Lingerie

Today, Sublimefemme Unbound explores the vexing question that has baffled philosophers throughout the ages:  Who is lingerie for?  The femme wearing it or the person who enjoys seeing her in it?   

Van has always been very…enthusiastic about my passion for glamorous underthings.  Today, when I asked her opinion on a few seductive babydolls, bras, and panties that I’m considering purchasing for Feb. 14, she was happy to oblige.  However, she also said that I could probably wear a sexy little something from my personal collection that’s she’s forgotten and it would be just as good as something new.   

But really, darlings, where’s the fun in that?   I can go shopping in my own lingerie drawer for the rest of the year, but on Feb. 14?  Thanks, but no.  I’ve always been baffled by certain straight women who are disappointed when the men in their lives give them lingerie as a gift.  “It’s really a present for him,” they complain.  I completely disagree.  What good is Valentine’s Day unless you can consume large quantities of chocolate and buy lingerie that makes you feel like the second coming of Sophia Loren?!! 

I think every femme (single or partnered) deserves to do something to make herself feel beautiful and sex kittenish on Valentine’s Day.  What are you going to do to treat yourself, my pretties?  And what negligée/lingerie pictured here do you think I should get for myself? 😉

Photo Credit:  All images from Victoria’s Secret.