By Lora Wilson – Contributor
My husband is an amazing man, but after 16 years of marriage and three kids, I have learned a few things about Valentine’s Day:
- It’s not as romantic as you see in movies.
- Nothing ruins romance faster than the words, “Mom, what’s for dinner?”
- Romance has never been, and will never be, in my husband’s vocabulary.
So, what’s a wife and mom to do? Plan her own Valentines! Yes, you read that right. I plan Valentine’s Day every year. I am a romantic at heart, and there is just something about planning a nice evening out that always puts a smile on my face. After all, what is romance anyway? My definition has changed.
When the kids were younger, a romantic Valentine’s Day consisted of a card, some flowers, and getting a babysitter for a couple hours. We would spend one hour looking for a place to eat because we forgot to make reservations. The second hour consisted of scarfing down our meal so that we could get back home in time for bedtime kisses. Of course, that was on the off chance that we were actually able to find a babysitter.
Fast forward 10 years, and the kids are older. I no longer want roses and mushy sentiments. Let’s face it, after 16 years and 5,840 (give or take) dinners together, the stereotypical “dinner and a movie” date night with my hubby does not scream romance. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a delicious dinner at a nice restaurant followed by a great movie. But typically, Valentine’s Day screams adventure to me, a day to do something new and exciting. In the past, we’ve done everything from chocolate making to beer and dessert tastings, to weekend staycations and even a very fun Valentine’s Day cruise.
So what fun adventures do I have planned this year? Honestly I’m still trying to decide, so I’ve made a list of possibilities:
Escape Artists: We have done escape rooms in the past, so when the new escape room opened in downtown Sanford, we tried it out and had a blast! So, that is a great outing to consider. Escape Artists, 115 N. Oak St, Sanford (321) 200-5304, www.EscapeArtistsSanford.com
The Rivership Barbara Lee: We have never done the Barbara Lee and it sounds like a another fun option. Part romantic dinner, part adventure. A good mix of both. A little birdy told me they only have their evening cruise available on Valentine’s Day. The other cruises for that day are booked. St. John’s Rivership Company, 433 N. Palmetto Ave, (321) 441-3030, www.stjohnsrivershipco.com
ZOOm Air at the Central Florida Zoo: Hmmm… ziplines on Valentine’s Day? That sounds adventurous. 😉 Central Florida Zoo & Botantical Gardens, 3755 NW Highway 17-92, Sanford, (407) 323-4450, www.centralfloridazoo.org
Sanford Brewing Company: One of our favorite breweries, they are offering a four course meal starting at 7pm along with beer pairings, a flower, live music and a prosecco toast. This sounds perfect. It is limited to 30 couples and last day to sign up is Feb. 8th. Sanford Brewing Company, 400 S. Sanford Ave, Sanford (407) 732-6419, www.sanfordbrewing.com
The Winey Wench: Let’s face it. Wine and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Located in the Seminole Towne Center Mall, this unique date night combines wine and fun for a very creative evening for all. The Winey Wench, (407) 302-3788, www.wineywench.com
Black Bear Wilderness Walk: A romantic hike for Valentine’s Day? Whether you choose the 7.1 mile hike, or the shorter 2 mile trail, you’ll have a memorable Valentine’s Day. Reservations are not required for this adventure but the park does close at dusk. Black Bear Wilderness Area 5298 Michigan Ave, Sanford
Buster’s Bistro: Offering a special Valentine’s dinner from 6-9pm with a complimentary toast. Surely to be a great option as well! Buster’s Bistro, 300 S. Sanford Ave, Sanford, (407) 732-6880, http://www.bustersbistro.com
Well, with only two more weeks left, I had better decide soon. Until then, if you can think of anything great to help this mom out, I would certainly love your input! Everyone at The Bokey wishes you a very Happy Valentine’s Day, no matter what your plans entail!
Hi, I’m Lora Wilson! I’m a stay at home mom to three kids. After leaving a career in IT and Project Management, I now focus on my family. I grew up in the Washington D.C. metro area, and moved with my husband to Sanford in 2005, along with our three kids. I have a passion for travel, food and nature. You can find me exploring towns around Florida, eating out at restaurants and bars in the area or hiking a local trail. My favorite hobby is cooking and I spend much of my free time in the kitchen trying out new recipes. Recently I converted to a Vegan/Vegetarian lifestyle, so I’m constantly on the lookout for delicious recipes and new restaurants to try. On any given day, you will find me wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt with my hair up in a ponytail and a smile on my face. My fashion sense definitely matches my demeanor and approach to life: Keep it simple and do what makes you happy. I looks forward to sharing all my adventures around town with my Bokey family.
Sanford, Fla. 