My Valentine

I know that Valentine's Day was a couple of weeks ago, but I have to take a moment and write about Hernan, my Valentine, and the crazy things this boy does.

I have found that Hernan is a passionate person. In general he is one that falls hard and fast. Some things he falls maddly in love with and the blaze for it burns hot, but for a short period of time and then it dies downs (never smoldering) with the flame reappearing ever-so-often as time goes on (it's like shuffling face cards, one is on the top, but is quickly replaced by another, the origianl card is still in the deck, just not on top), while other things with Hernan burns strong and steady with dedication and loyalty. Let me explain.

The "Face Card Passions"

• WWII. Hernan is a huge fan of the European side of WWII. He loves to talk to Vets and get their stories. He can resite Band of Brothers by heart. He loves books on the subject. He loves the guns that were used. He has boxes of figureins from the era, a trunk full of gear, and loves all sorts of memorabilia that accompanies this season of world history. But this is a passion that comes and goes, not a daily obsession.


• The Phone. Then there is Hernan's new phone, he gets it and spends all his spare time playing with it for the first week or so and then this passion dies down...perhaps to resurface when some new feature becomes availble.


• Futbol. Hernan loves to play soccer, the passion comes and goes, especially around World Cup every four years and Thanksgiving. He gets jazzed to know people will be playing and he'll be dedicated for a time, but the flame dies down when life gets busy.


• Fixing old cars. Hernan loves to work on cars. He fixed up and sold an old Truck before I knew him and attempted to do the same not too long ago. When the project seemed to never have an end, he traded it in. He sold his old '72 Chevy and bought a mid '90's Honda Civic. I remember telling him, "Wait until spring to buy it, it's just going to sit in the garage all winter and you won't work on it..." He assured me that the cold weather wouldn't detour him. Guess what? He hasn't touched it all winter. I just laugh because he was so passionate about the car mid-October when he bought it, now it's March and although he searches often for the "perfect rims" on KSL, he won't touch it until probably May. Just a dim flame at the moment.


• Guitar. February last year Hernan was determined to play the guitar. I bought him one for Valentine's Day and he proceded to buy himself an electric guitar shortly after as well. He practiced everyday and really started to sound good. He has an ear and a talent to pick musical things up quickly. It's like he has an internal rhythm. But after Keizer was born, I didn't hear the guitar any more. It was just recently that I started to hear him talking about practicing again, especially as when he plays Keizer can't do anything other than smile and giggle at him like he is his world.


• Guns. Hernan is one of those gun nuts. He loves to make them go boom. He is a collector and shows his passion for them off and on. When one catches his fancy he does nothing but eat, sleep and drink it. It wasn't too long ago he said, "Hey, I saw this gun I like, we ought to get it." I heard him, but don't recall responding with much more than, "oh, ok..." The next day he came through the door with a box and BIG GRIN. I just laugh, let the flame burn on...

The "Constant Passions"

• Cooking. Hernan loves to cook. He is so talented at putting whatever together and making it taste great. He wants to own a restaurant and is always throwing ideas out about what he could do. If I am cooking dinner, Hernan usually shows up to tell me how to make it better (usually appreciated, but not always). This is a passion that never dies.


• Movies. Hernan knows more about current and upcoming movies than I could ever want to absorb. If he has a spare moment, he's watching a trailer and telling me about a movie that is coming out that doesn't even have a release date yet. This is his escape from reality, his 2.5 hours of another life, his opportunity to live in a fantasy world, I have no idea, but I know that for as long as I have known him, he has loved and adored the cinema.


• Music. Facebook, My Space, You Tube, where ever you can search, Hernan will be there. He loves to find new artists, especially the singer-song writer type. He loves to track down their albums. He is like a little kid and gets so proud of himself when he finds a good one.


• Me. Ok, so I have to say that even though Hernan has a billion interests and passions, I think his best choice is me. He never fails to tell me how much he loves me (flame) and loves to be a romantic. Even though I list myself with his passions, I am proud to be one on the list. He makes me blush, he makes me laugh every day, and he makes me so happy. Even though Hernan falls fast and hard for some many little things, I always know I get to share them with him, because he wouldn't be able to not talk about them.

Hernan...he's my dreamer. He has so many talents and abilities that are not easy to come by. He can recognize a face and remember a name better than I can remember my own. He is a friendly-social person. He loves to throw parties and loves to entertain. He is a motivated person that doesn't let grass grow under his feet. He's a gentleman. He's handsome, cute, and has beautiful eyes. He's MY passion. He's my Valentine.