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...