The Secret's Out

Every year on Valentines Day when couples across the nation are getting ready to go to fancy-schmancy dinners at expensive restaurants with 2 hour waits, our little family heads out. Every year we have a standing date, as a family, at... IHOP.

This has worked marvellously in the past! You see I'm not really all that big of a fan of this "holiday". I feel like you should be showing the love every day. But much like Mother's Day, I prefer to celebrate it by not cooking. And not wanting to fight the crowds, one year we decided to roll into IHOP and found it empty. And a tradition was born. No wait, great service, we all love breakfast for dinner, what could be better?

This year, we were tired. So, so tired. It had probably been the longest, hardest week in quite a while. And the day was jam packed with activities for EVERYONE. But dang it, I'm all about tradition, so out into the rain we went. And when we got there, IHOP was hoppin'!

Um, what the heck? Who went and let this whole town know that IHOP was the place to be? For the past 5 or 6 years, we've had it all to ourselves. Who are you people and why are you eating my bacon?

So I was a wee bit irritated. And did I mention that they girls were tired? And when they are tired they turn in little witches. And they didn't even want to go to IHOP. But I made them, because last year we blew it off to go see the Jonas Brothers instead and I figured the brats owed me a quick two egg breakfast. And since they were all so nice, I am going to post this very unflattering picture of my sweethearts for all the world to see.



At church the next morning, during the children's lesson, the pastor asked the kids what they did to celebrate Valentines Day. Clear as a bell, all the way in the back pew, I hear Emma say, "We went to IHOP for dinner!"

So now, not only is the secret out about where to eat on Love Day, the secret is also out that our family is cheap.

And on the one Sunday we didn't bring any money for the collection plate...