Despite my practical mein and gruff denuciations of such sentimentality, I gotta admit, when James came home with the bouquet of lilies (I like lilies–irises are my favorite, but they’re hard to get this time ‘o year) and the box of chocolates, I squee’ed.

And soon I’ll make him set up the lights and the tripod and photograph my latest painting, which, believe me, is a truer test of love than one might think…