As I was proofreading the pages tonight for our weekend edition of the Daily Globe, I came across a story our copy editor had plugged in at the bottom of Page 1. It was in the "Can You Believe This?" section, our paper’s daily news snippet of the wacky and real.

Well, Ashley found a story that was right up my alley … a story about farming and Valentine’s Day all rolled into one.

Now, my Valentine’s Day comes and goes without so much as a single red rose, a box of chocolates or some fancy schmancy piece of jewelry.

I was actually relieved that it was on a Sunday this year. I don’t have to sit at my desk and watch as vases of beautiful flowers are brought in for the "married or dating" co-workers, or listen as they brag about their evening out with their significant other.

Nope, this year I can sit at home, read my new stash of library books and forget all about the day of romance. I’ll even make sure not to turn on the TV, lest I see one of those darn tear-jerker Hallmark card commercials!

Most of all, I can be thankful that I don’t have a significant other like Bruce Andersland of Albert Lea. Just read about his Valentine’s Day gift to his wife …

ALBERT LEA (AP) — Nothing says “I love you” like a half-mile wide heart made out of manure.

A southern Minnesota man created the Valentine’s Day gift for his wife of 37 years in their farm field about 12 miles southwest of Albert Lea.

Bruce Andersland told the Alberta Lea Tribune that he started the project with his tractor and manure spreader Wednesday and finished Thursday.

His wife, Beth, said it’s the biggest and most original Valentine she has ever received. She said some people might think it’s gross, but she said it’s cute and “Why not do something fun with what you got?”

She said the heart would be darker except for the recent heavy snowfall that mixed with the manure.

Now, I must commend Bruce on his creativity. After 37 years, I can see where this might be just as good a gesture as any … hey, at least he remembered it was Valentine’s Day.

I love Beth’s comment about doing "something fun with what you got," but I can just imagine other farmers trying the same thing on a less-than-understanding woman!

As a farm girl with brothers who wrapped up a frozen cow pie to give me for Christmas one year when we were growing up, I can say without a doubt that manure is never on a woman’s wish list … no matter what holiday!

All I can say is, thank goodness my brothers didn’t go out looking for a heart-shaped, frozen cow pie to give me on Valentine’s Day! (Oh, wait a minute … brothers giving their sister a Valentine? That’s just wrong … even if it is of the cow dung variety.)

Sometimes love just stinks!