Written by Caren of Photographs and Recipes.

It’s Valentine’s Day again! Anyone who thinks that the surest way to a man or a woman’s heart is through his or her stomachs was definitely thinking about Valentine’s Day. The world over, celebrations are inextricably linked with food (or is it just me? I mean do you associate any celebration with playing Scrabble???)

While my first realization of what Valentine’s Day meant came when I was fourteen, it did not mean much to me till I was sixteen and had what one would call a sweetheart! This sweetheart was exactly 11months younger than I was and about 1-½ inches shorter. When he gave me a lovely, cuddly little teddy bear and an accompanying box of chocolates, I was swept off my feet. The next minute when I came crashing down, I had to wonder what storm caused it. The storm’s name, it turned out was MOTHER.

How was I to explain this new addition to my mom who up until then had no idea that I had a boyfriend and I was certain, had every intention to ensure that I did not have one till I turned 30!