Happy Valentine's Day!

 Hello friends,

Valentine's has long been an excuse in Blubell Oaks, not for Cedric Walnut in the Village Store to sell bulk chocolates and wine (although that does occur), not for the Cottontail's flower stall to sell about half their year's worth of stock and make a huge profit (although again, it is a very good time for the Cottontails), but for celebrating and showing appreciation for loved ones. Family members, children, friends, and of course spouses and sweethearts are gifted with presents, cards, or just simple acts of love.

Christopher and Jane Appleblossom don't really get alot of time to themselves. They own the Watermill Bakery, and from the time Christopher's alarm goes off before dawn to the moment they shut the bakery door in the afternoon, they are busy in a flurry of activity. Shaping dough, baking, serving customers...the days are always busy. However, when the last customer leaves the bakery Christopher and Jane can close the shop for the evening and stroll back through the woods to their home. The routine is the same every day; regardless of Valentine's or not, it is their special time together.

"I'm sorry I couldn't take you out for a fancy dinner tonight, my love." Christopher said.

"Never mind Chris, I've got you-and Jasmine-and that's enough for me." Jane smiled, thinking about their daughter who would be on her way home too now, from school.

While some couples celebrate many years of love and devotion...

...for others it is just the beginning of a new journey. For Eddy and Cassie Splashy, today is their first Valentine's Day as a married couple. They are actually quite new to the village, having moved here a couple of months ago after their wedding this summer. Eddy once visited Bluebell Oaks on holiday as a child, and when he got engaged to Cassie (short for Cascade) he brought her here for a visit too, hoping that his fiancee would be smitten with the village too. Needless to say, they both agreed that it was the perfect place for them to settle down and begin their life together.

Eddy has taken a job as village plumber, and at the moment Cassie has been enjoying setting up their home and being a housewife. They have settled into the village as if they have lived here all their lives. 

Valentine's Day is especially special for Holly and Fred Golightly, because it is also their wedding anniversary. Tonight their three children are at a friend's house so Fred and Holly can enjoy some time alone together. After a lovely dinner out, they are taking a stroll through the village gardens. The evenings are long and warm at the moment, so twilight is just beginning to fall. Fred bought Holly a bunch of roses from the Cottontail's Flower Stall as they passed. 

"Do you remember when we met, Fred?" Holly asked as the strolled through an archway. 

He smiled. Fred and Holly met at a ballroom dancing class-in fact, it was one where young Fred was the teacher. Holly, attending the new class for the first time, was without a partner and so the kind teacher offered to dance with her. Holly would remember that dance all her life. Fred just about swept her off her feet-literally. Turned out, Holly would never need another dancing partner again. They were inseparable and Fred proposed six months later. 

That was many years ago now. Today is their fourteenth wedding anniversary.

"To many more years, Holly!" Fred said.

Happy Valentine's to you all! Have a great week!