You're My Funny Valentine. . .

There should probably be rules against wandering through the sketchiest part of University District with big red hair and a big grin, but I was having a really good February 14th. No chocolate, no roses, no worries at all, just sunshine and a grace-saturated day. Smiling at students and Ave rats alike, I left the sketchy Safeway on 50th with a huge box of strawberries and chocolate for a Singles Awareness Day party that evening.

"Happy Valentines Day"

I kept walking a few yards before realizing that the vagrant I'd passed as I rounded the corner wasn't begging for anything or trying to sell me pot. So I turned around, walked back, and offered him a handful of strawberries. I know I'm a dork, but they were too juicy not to share. After we'd eaten a handful together, I hurried on my way, thankful that the only boy I'd talked to all V-day at least had blue eyes and appreciated delicious fruit.

I didn't think I'd get to see those blue eyes again, though.

Last Saturday, I was again leaving Sketchville Safeway in the rain. After a long day, my feet hurt, my head hurt, and my arms hurt from carrying a week's worth of groceries. That's when I noticed someone, obviously strung out on something, following me out of the store and across the parking lot. "Hey, hey red. Hey lady with the red hair! Hey, hey come back!!" Creepy. I kept walking, and creeper kept following, and I scanned the parking lot for anyone who might help if I couldn't shake this disturbed person.

Panic.

And that's when my blue-eyed Valentine showed up out of nowhere and called the creeper guy off, distracting him as I hurried across the Ave and into a crowd of students.

I don't believe in karma, but I do believe in grace, happy endings, and guardian angels. . . oh, and strawberries.