A Toast to St. Valentine
Some of my most memorable Valentine’s Day outings are the simple ones: Sharing take-out pizza while swooning over Sean Connery as 007; taking a long hike with Cutter followed by an extra-thick, strawberry milkshake at Peninsula Creamery; and, dining on the best Thai food in Palo Alto followed by a round of bowling.
This year I’ve done something outrageous to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I spent the day hiking the hills that encompass Lake Como, Italy, with Barack Obama. Yes, it’s true, even our fine president is entitled to a day of rest and bliss. Along our journey we stopped for an espresso at a quaint cafe overlooking the lake and, along with my friend Ouma, captured the moment on film.
I’ve always believed simple wins when it comes to celebrating romance but now that I’ve had a taste of the extravagant variety, I may be hooked. So for all of you who believe Valentine’s Day is just a contrived, Hallmark holiday, I beg to differ. Cupid is hard at work today and if you open your heart and let your imagination wander, you too may end up on a once-in-a-lifetime journey of joy and love.