by cactusiv.com's Michelle Riccardi

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

I want to tell you about my favorite Valentine's Day ever. I was 17 and in a bad mood because I just broke up with my boyfriend at the time. My friend Anthony from Manhattan called me and told me to go outside my house in 20 minutes dressed nicely. I laughed and reminded him he lives in Manhattan and doesn't drive. He told me to go get dressed and be outside in 20 minutes. Okay,' I said. Well 20 minutes later, I was outside wearing a skirt and sweater when a black car pulled up. The driver got out and handed me a card that read Your presence has been requested to attend a private party at 9p.m. at Hudson View.' I smiled and got in the car. On the seat next to me was a single rose and a Barbie Valentine's Day card attached. By 9 p.m. the driver had dropped me off, and I was standing in front of Anthony's door staring at a picture of him standing on the roof holding a card that read Happy Valentines Day MeMe love Antnee.' I knocked once and Anthony opened the door. He smiled at me and said You know a normal girl would be crying and would have leaped into my arms but no not you.' I laughed and entered. He had his dining room table lit with candles and dinner for two. Then he handed me yet another card that to this day makes me smile: To my best friend - Valentine's Day isn't just for boyfriends and girlfriends. It's for best friends too. Love always Anthony.

At that point I started to cry. After a nice long hug we sat down and ate. The food wasn't romantic or Valentine's Day-ish, but it was perfect and delicious. Grilled chicken, with fresh baby spinach and fresh mozzarella on a wrap (he didn't make it his mom did). The ingredients are easy enough, but when you grill the chicken use butter, extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper.

We drank water and had a glass of champagne each with our meal with his mom's okay of course. But a pinot noir (wine) might just make the chicken taste even better.

Lesson of the week: Make sure you communicate well with your friends and significant others. There are three types of love in the world, according to me. The love from your family, the love from your friends and the love from your boyfriend or girlfriend; not one of them is more important than the other, so don't let anyone make you chose.

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