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February 14th: Just Another Hallmark Holiday

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On the last full day of their vacation, Laura awoke to an empty bed. She wasn’t sure if it was the sound of the front door closing that woke her, but it was apparent her husband Roger was no longer in the room. The bathroom was dark, and there was no sound, save the chirping of birds outside.

It was Valentine’s Day, and although Roger often dismissed days like these as “Hallmark Holidays”, she was hoping for at least a little special treatment, regardless.

“Maybe he is bringing me breakfast in bed!” she thought to herself. So she waited, enjoying the lack of urgency that was their day-to-day lives back home, and gave herself the luxury of settling back on her pillow.

When she heard someone outside struggling with the lock, she propped herself up, hoping for a tray of croissants and tropical fruit with coffee and juice. Much do her dismay though, Roger came in fully dressed and empty handed. He looked at her with surprise.

“You’re not up yet?” he asked. “Come on, we’re going to make it an early beach day.”

Why?” she asked. “Aren’t we even going to have breakfast?"

“We’ll grab something at the beach or on our way,” he replied. “I’m going golfing at two o’clock with those three people I was talking to last night at dinner. They need one more for a foursome.”

She knew who he was talking about. Roger had left her alone at their table in the restaurant to strike up a conversation with two men and a woman standing outside. Laura had been pretty angry about him not bringing them over to introduce her, but she didn’t want to make waves. It had been a wonderful trip, and he had been very attentive…at least up until now.

She noticed there was no greeting card on the dresser, no flowers, and no mention of this day at all as she quickly gathered their belongings for a short beach stay.

Later on at the beach, Roger seemed distracted. He frequently got up from his beach chair to make phone calls and never once asked her if she needed anything as he wandered about, talking.

When they returned to the room, Laura decided to read by the pool until her husband returned. Tiring of this after a couple of hours, she returned to the room and took her time getting dressed up for a nice dinner out.

Surely he is at least going to take me someplace elegant, she pondered as she put on the dress she had been saving for this particular evening. Should I remind him it’s Valentine’s Day, or just write it off to him forgetting and enjoy our final night in paradise?

When the room phone rang, she began to worry. He should have been back by now; it was approaching sunset.

“Honey, I’m pretty smashed,” her husband said on the phone when she answered. “I got dropped off in Grand Case and I need you to drive me and our car back to the room. I’m sending a taxi that should be there in a minute."

She heard the honk of a horn outside and grabbed her purse, now becoming furious. Not only did he forget, he got drunk, and I’m going to have to sober him up instead of enjoying a romantic dinner.

Instead of dropping her off, the driver parked and led her by the hand out of the taxi.

Great! He can’t even stand up long enough to meet me on the street.

They walked through the shallow hallway that led to the beach restaurant. She looked here and there; searching for Roger’s inebriated face in vain. He didn’t seem to be anywhere inside. When the deck of the restaurant gave way to sandy beach, she halted and turned around, but the driver beckoned her to keep walking. She reluctantly continued, struggling with her heels in the sand as they ventured out across the beach.

Laura finally caught sight of Roger, wearing a white suit with no shoes and not appearing to be drunk in the least. He was smiling ear-to-ear as he took her hand and led her towards a trellis adorned with tropical flowers. Under the trellis waited one of the men she had seen Roger with the previous night, and the other man and woman were few feet in front. Roger asked her to remove her shoes, and got down on one knee when she finished this task.

“Laura,” he said. “I love you even more than the day I met you. Even more than the day we married. If you would do me the honor of marrying me all over again, that man under the trellis is waiting to officiate over the renewal of our vows. Bertrand will walk you down the aisle, and our wedding planner Elise will be our flower girl and photographer.”

Tears streamed down her face as she stood under the trellis and listened to words of love from this man, regarding her with the same affection she had seen from him some 25 years earlier.

“Thank you for remembering,” was all she could muster, she was so caught up in the moment.

“This day is just another day to me,” Roger whispered in her ear as the reverend recited the vows she was supposed to repeat. “But I know it is special to you. Every single day I get to spend with you is a gift from God.”

The reverend interrupted the couple by clearing his throat.

“Miss Laura, it is time to say I do.”

T. Stelma is the author of Happy Bay, Cole Bay Band, and Sandy Ground; The Happy Bay Novel Trilogy. Happy Bay Romance Novel Trilogy

Epicure Magazine, St. Martin

I'm writing articles these days, for a start-up magazine with a friend in St. Martin.
Getting some ad space as a perk.

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It wasn't Sandy's running form that caught Jimmy's eye on Baie Orientale early that morning. It's what happened when she finished running.
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Take a trip over the border and explore French St. Martin

In responses to my Facebook posts from our island adventures, it became apparent to me that an old friend who has been to the island many more times than I had never really gotten out and explored everything “the rock” has to offer. She and her husband had never taken the hike to Happy Bay, never climbed to the top of Fort Louis to take in the spectacular view of Marigot, and never enjoyed the fine cuisine found in Marigot, Grand Case, and Orient Village. “You are missing out,” I told her. Although the Dutch side holds many attractions all its own, the French side experience is decidedly more European in its culture and “feel” (do I state the obvious?).

For us, a trip to Port de la Royale is mandatory for a late lunch after spending a beach day at Baie Rouge or Cupecoy. Just a short walk from a spacious parking area, it is tucked into the Simpson Bay Lagoon where Marigot “proper” begins. A three-sided boardwalk surrounds the end of the lagoon with a large number of restaurants. You have your choice of open-air dining or inside dining at most (if not all) establishments. A beautiful young lady or entertaining gentleman waits outside each one to draw you in to sample their respective cuisines.

Take a table near the docks and relax as the dinghies bring in folks from their yachts, or enjoy the people watching as others stroll the boardwalk. We like to debate whether the impeccably dressed woman casually walking by is a celebrity or famous model…you never know who may show up there.

The variety of dining choices is near endless, from lobster-stuffed chicken filet to submarine sandwiches (on banquette of course); we have never been disappointed on our visits to this port.

Once you exit the Marigot area, you will encounter rolling hills and pastures with grazing cows, along with goats and chickens carefully navigating the edge of the roads. Look for a left turn just past the small airport to arrive in Grand Case, a wonderful area with a lively street scene. There is parking available in a large lot and the narrow avenue is resplendent with restaurants and shops; again, an excellent opportunity to stroll and take in the French Island culture. The variety of epicurean delights is far greater than you might expect, with fine French cuisine to simple, yet tasty (and completely affordable) grilled fish, chicken, and ribs found at the outdoor Lolos that overlook the Grand Case beach.

Any establishment on the water offers a spectacular sunset; it is a good opportunity to take photos of your significant others with a breathtaking backdrop. Some places are energetic and crowded with locals, while others are quietly sophisticated. You can peruse the menus on signs posted outside most restaurants to decide what you are in the mood for while browsing the merchandise in an artist’s studio or learning to make your own perfume. Grand Case is a must-do every time we visit St. Martin.

Another area we favor is Orient Village, where we always feel we have been transported to a small town somewhere in France. The large courtyard behind the Orient Beach resorts features just a few restaurants with a great variety of cultural specialties and some of the friendliest staff you will ever encounter anywhere. Sit back and enjoy the open-air dining while watching the progress of a game of Pétanque on the gravel quad or listening to live music (not loud) on a stage in the center of this square. A completely relaxing and delightful “old world” experience.

I have since convinced my friend to stray from their timeshare on the Dutch side and get out and enjoy everything French St. Martin has to offer. There is much more to explore than simply Orient Beach for a day trip. Bon Appétit my friends!

Tim Stelma, contributing writer and author of the Happy Bay Novel series.

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Kindle is King

Kindle is still the king of eBooks and Amazon is the place to find the Happy Bay Book Trilogy. You can locate all three on my Amazon Author Page:amazon.com/author/tstelma