I actually felt like I'd flubbed it. Being out of town the entire day, and having essentially nothing ready.

She even had to buy her own cake.

But the wife was apparently impressed. According to her, after receiving a report, her co-workers used the words "sweetheart" and "keeper".

Her best friend semi-seriously wondered if I should give her husband lessons in romance.

One might suspect it was the roses (x12), or the Belleek (x3). Or the jewelry (x2), or the cards (x2). And forget not the chocolate. And the unexpected text message.

But in truth, what she bragged about the most was...

The can of tamales.

Really.