Valentine’s Day is all about love. And Britomart loves sharing the love. So we did. Letters filled with words of love were dropped around Britomart for unsuspecting Aucklanders to pick up just before the big day. Hopefully it made them feel a little bit special. Because we think they deserved it. x

... but there is nothing sadder than unrequited love. Luckily for us the lovely Jan Stewart found one of our letters and wrote us a love note in return.

“My Funny Valentine….

When you reach d’un certain age your anticipation of the post on the morning of 14th February diminishes to a great degree. Also, regrettably, I feel that our modern age somewhat denigrates the whole concept of “romance” – a sadness really – a generous dollop of romance is good for the soul! I recall the great words said by Bogart (NO, not from “Casablanca” as it happens) from “In a Lonely Place”

    “I was born when you kissed me, I died when you left me, I lived a
    few days while you loved me.”

I find it difficult to visualise any of our “modern” young actors dealing with that dialogue! Maybe that is just me being old and a great fan of old movies!

Having no thoughts of “special” mail on the 14th, imagine my surprise when settling into a comfortable chair in a very pleasant bar (smith) in Britomart I found an envelope on which was written “Be mine” in large red friendly letters and the words “Happy Valentine’s Day” where a stamp might have been. Thinking someone had left it behind I offered the envelope to the young lady approaching with my drink – to my surprise – she told me “oh no, it is for you Mrs. Stewart”. Seemingly my earlier remarks about the lack of romanticism may be unfair – for someone had come up with the charming idea of dropping some envelopes in certain establishments to try and ensure that, at least some people received a touch of romance on the celebration of St. Valentine.   

To my delight on opening the envelope I found written “a note for my valentine” and the entire lyric of “Spanish Boots of Spanish Leather”, (I was fortunate to live in Spain for several years when I was younger) one of my many favourite songs written by the great Bob Dylan.  
 
    “oh I’m sailing away my own true love,
    I’m sailing away in the morning
    Is there something I can send you from across the sea
    From the place that I’ll be landing”…

How appropriate that someone of my age (about the same as Dylan!) should find that particular envelope – since then it, and the written page have looked down from my pin board – reminding me that you are never too old to receive a Valentine!   

    “…so take heed take heed of the western wind
    take heed of the stormy weather
    and yes there’s something you can send back to me
    Spanish boots of Spanish leather”

                    x”