Light snowflakes swirling in the breeze over a valley of slopes, your honey, and friends. Hats and mittens, and lifts and skis on a couples' romantic getaway.

We all met at our house after church, put the equipment into one car, and the rest of us snuggled in the other on our way to the hill. We got there, got set up and hit the slopes together, all smiles and jokes and expectation. Up we go and on down the hills at every speed and style imaginable, but all encouraging and helping each other along the way.

By closing time we were a bit tired and mostly cold, so we warmed up in the chalet, put our gear away, and relaxed to a Mexican dinner in Wabasha, with plenty of happy conversation.

A long, dark, snowy ride home made most of us pretty sleepy, yet we talked into the night, in subdued voices, until, contented and satisfied, we split up at our house and waved goodbye to the homegoers.

Eddy was a sleep, our things were laid out to dry, and the fire was ablaze. Our day was complete. A Valentine's success.