My last longterm relationship didn’t end so well, so I have no problem spending Valentine’s Day by myself this year.

As far as Valentine’s Day goes, I can usually take it or leave it. This year, however, is different. I discovered a rack of good-sized heart-shaped message cookies at Shaws in Milford the other day, and now I want the holiday to go on forever.

Deprive me of my reasonably-priced seasonal baked goods and there will be trouble. I’m serious. We’re talking no joy in Mudville here.

My life until this point has been fraught with angst and indecision due to a divided heart. I loved chocolate chip cookies, but I also loved cake. How could I choose between the two without breaking their hearts or my own?

I mean, they both have their good points. Chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy. Cake has frosting. And they both go great with milk. When faced with these two dessert options, it’s quite unfair that my stomach can only hold so much food. Had God asked my opinion, I would’ve asked to be made with a higher metabolism and a hollow leg.

And then, lo and behold, reasonably-priced, heavily frosted Valentine’s Day message cookies came into my life and solved all my problems. Well, at least the one about what to have for dessert. And breakfast, and possibly lunch.

I had had message cookies before, but the only frosting they had on them was a thin border around the edge and maybe some decorative writing. These babies are completely frosted on top, plus they have a frosting border, *plus* they have frosting flowers.

And if that’s not enough frosting for you, you can have them frost a message on it too. Something like "Check floor for overjoyed eater in sugar shock" might be appropriate.

Seriously, it’s the most wonderful thing ever. The frosting of a cake and the, well, chocolate chip cookieness of a chocolate chip cookie, all in one dessert and in all the right proportions.

Obviously, you’re going to want to eat this slowly, to enjoy it and perhaps share it with a team of friends so the calories are more evenly dispersed. A caution: The childhood tea party trick of cutting a piece for each of your stuffed animals and eventually eating their share because they’re "not hungry" will not work in this case. Their calories will be your calories, unless they are like my stuffed animals, who have lived with me long enough to have developed a similar sweet tooth and never even leave crumbs. 

So yes. If you’re looking for a good reason to celebrate Valentine’s Day, message cookies will actually give you three. One: chocolate chip cookieness. Two: frosting. And three: yay. Just don’t forget the milk.