Not to be a wet blanket, but the first Valentine's Day after your SO dies unexpectedly sucks.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

74. Thanks. I do have my son here with me and that helps, although.....

when it rains, it pours. He just got word yesterday on of his childhood friends died from a drug OD, a girl of a family from TN that have been family friends for many years. We've had quite a challenge since last fall to support each other and thank goodness he's back in college after his mother's death (they were very close).

My first trip up North was to Michigan in the early 70s not long after I moved here from TN and it was to Kalamazoo at the university in the dead of winter. I 'bout froze to death, as this southern boy didn't know how to dress and the streets had a long-term snow pack. I was grateful to have someone from the school drive me around during my visit.

We've had a relatively mild winter this year but it ain't over.

Thanks again for your kind words and understanding.......