Schönen Valentinstag

When I stepped out of the house, Josh was standing there with a bouquet of white roses.

Gillian: “Good morning, Josh. What are you doing here so early?”

Josh: “Good morning, Gillian. Happy Valentine’s Day. Would you like to do something today?”

Gillian: “Yes, I’d love to. Let’s go for a ride at noon. Meet at the upper gate. And thank you for the beautiful flowers.”

Josh: “YES!”

I took the roses and went to the stable. When I came out of the tack room, Jamie was standing there with a gift.

Jamie: “Happy Valentine’s Day, Gillian. Would you like to go riding later? It would be nice to spend some time together again.”

Gillian: “Thank you, Jamie. Actually… yes, let’s ride. Noon, upper gate. I’m looking forward to it.”

Inside the box was a pair of beautiful earrings. Gillian (thought bubble): “They’re gorgeous… and Josh’s roses too. They’re both really making an effort.” Valentine’s Day… the day for the person you love. But what if you love two people? The ride hadn’t exactly been planned like this, but I was happy to spend the day with both of them. To keep things relaxed, I packed a picnic basket. A nice ride, good food, good conversation… hopefully. When I arrived at the upper gate, they were already there. Both perfectly dressed for Valentine’s Day — clearly expecting to be my Valentine.

Josh: “Jamie, what are you doing here?!”

Jamie: “I could ask you the same. I’m going riding with Gillian.”

We set off immediately. The silence between them was heavy.

Gillian: “You both look amazing in your Valentine’s outfits. I feel honored. And your gifts… I’m speechless. I packed us something delicious. There’s a lovely spot nearby.”

Jamie (thought bubble): “What was she thinking? I thought this was our Valentine’s Day. But she’s wearing my earrings… that must mean something.” Josh (thought bubble): “Didn’t she say she was speechless? And now Jamie invited himself along. This will be interesting.” The tension was impossible to ignore. At the picnic, it finally exploded.

Josh: “Jamie, Valentine’s Day is for lovers — for Gillian and me.”

Jamie: “For lovers? Then the right people are here. Because I love too — just not you!”

Gillian: “Stop arguing! I love too — and I love both of you. I can’t and won’t choose right now. You’re my best friends. I don’t want to lose either of you!”

To lighten the mood, I tried to take a selfie.

Jamie: “Who ran off to the USA and then accused her of having an affair with Justin? And now she’s crying because of you!”

Josh: “Because of me?! Who fooled around with Greta on the ranch? If you truly loved Gillian, you would never have done that!”

Gillian: “I’m not crying! I just got something in my eye. Great… now I can’t even take a selfie.”

Suddenly they were wrestling over the phone.

Jamie: “Give it to me, I’ll take the photo!”

Josh: “You can’t even hold it straight. I’ll do it!”

And there I was — stuck between them. It became the most legendary selfie ever.