My first valentine's date......that never happened.

This time of the year reminds of a story we still joke about with my sisters. The February right before my 18th birthday was supposed to be the month of my first valentine's date. Thanks to my mom, that never happened. Dressed up in full black, red scarf and clutch bag, I was ready to hit the road for an evening of wining and dinning. My date came to pick me up in a sleek black car with a bunch of beautiful roses, a box of chocolates, a golden necklace and bracelet. He had told me not wear any jewelry, he would take care of that. Romantic. right?


My mom was in her bedroom reading a book while me and my older sisters chatted away, getting ready for the evening. Little did I know I was to spend the next few hours in my bed sulking. My mom was a bit liberal and always let us go out as long as we told her where we were going and what time we would be back so I did not think Valentine's Day was any exception.

My date called me about a hour before the scheduled time and I told him I was all set. He told me it was going to be a night I will never forget, and indeed it was, hehe. My mom kept pacing through the corridors watching me clearly getting ready to step out but did not say a word. That confirmed to me that she was okay with me going out that evening.

Fresh makeup, nails done, hair set. My date calls me, he was at the gate 15 minutes earlier. So I tell him I will be out shortly. I say goodbye to my sisters and we wish each other a fantastic evening. Stepping out of the bedroom to get my shoes on before I go say goodnight to my mom, I bump into her in the corridor.
She has a surprised look on her face and goes, 'why are you all dolled up , going somewhere?'.
I put on a shy smile and reply, 'yes, me and the girls are going out'.
She shakes her head with that 'hmm' sound mothers like to make and responds, ' no you're not. Your older sisters have dates but you are staying home.'
I sheepishly giggle thinking she's joking. But the serious look on her face says it's no joke.
She had no idea there was someone already at the house to pick me up.

It was a couple of days before the first day of a new term so she reminded me that I had to do my last preparations before school, final shopping and packing up. I was joining a new boarding school after a long vacation and this school did not allow hair longer than an inch (talk about barbaric school rules). So she told me to get the fancy clothes off, start removing the braids in my hair since I had to cut it off early the next day. She did not give me a chance to say a single word. All this is happening while my date is outside waiting with a bunch of roses in his hands. I knew right then the evening I had planned for all day was not going to happen.

Panicking and upset, I went back to the bedroom and told my sisters what mom had just said. We started brainstorming ideas to go about the whole situation. Escape and deal with mom when I get back? Pretend to be at the neighbor's house for some hours? Lie to the guy that I have got a sudden stomach upset?
Minus missing out on what could have been a memorable day, how the hell was I going to deal with the embarrassment?
One of my sisters had to leave for her date so it was me and my other sister thinking of a quick solution. She also couldn't help laughing at me every other minute. We concluded that escaping was going to be a tough one, so we had to come up with a good excuse for my date without embarrassing myself.

I stepped out of the house, still dressed up and walked towards my date. He excitedly gave me a hug, handed me the roses and asked me if I was ready to go. I felt like I was chocking on a golf ball in my throat as I broke it down to him that I was 'suddenly feeling unwell' and couldn't go. He was so understanding but obviously disappointed. He asked me if we could sit a bit at the balcony so he could give me my gifts. He helped me wear the necklace and bracelet. In the meantime, I was peeping from the corner of my eye to make sure my mom does not see all this happening.
Being the youngest girl, I was a baby to her for a very long time. She couldn't picture her baby girl being taken out for the night by a guy, on Valentine's Day.

My date left and I quietly went back to the house. I watched my other sister go for her date as I removed the braids in my hair. I did not speak to my mom until much later the following day and that was the last 'date' we ever had with that guy. After that day, the friendship kind of slowed down.
I met him a few weeks ago after a very long time. It was the first time he heard the real truth about that evening. It was hard for him to believe I was grounded seconds away from my date. He thought I had just ditched him. We had a really good laugh.

What are some of those funny stories and experiences you have had on Valentine's Day?