Thanks for the Valentine, Car Burglar

Every year, I look forward to Valentine's Day, whether I have a sweetheart or not. 

Since my freshman year of college, my dad has, without fail, given me a giant box of Godiva chocolates on the holiday. Besides the obvious sentimental value of the gift, there are few things I relish more in this world than rummaging through the container of truffles and trying to match them up with the with the description guide while watching trash television on Bravo.

Valentine's Day 2012, however, will not be remembered so fondly.

Yes, I did receive my . But instead of my annual ritual, I'll be spending the day at the auto repair shop because my car was burglarized and damaged in the attempt.

Week after week, as the editor of Cockeysville Patch, I'd gotten used to writing about car burglaries in the crime log. But I still didn't think it'd happen to me. After all, when I first started this gig, I met with and one of the first things he told me was to make sure I kept my car doors locked. This message was constantly reiterated at every meeting I attended.

Apparently, the burglar's response to my following s was to shatter my car's passenger front window before stealing my GPS and a bag of clothes.

Don't get me wrong, locking your car doors is sound advice that does bear repeating—especially given the number of incident summaries I read at the police station that cite unlocked vehicles as targets. But sometimes bad things happen, despite your best efforts.

Of course, it's going to be a pain to replace my $300 GPS, and until I get a new one I'll probably be late to every scheduled appointment or meeting. (I am the most directionally challenged person EVER.) I apologize ahead of time to my bosses, friends and interviewees.

But what I'll miss most is my favorite pair of skinny jeans, which was in the previously mentioned bag. You know the pair that'll still fit even after you've gurged on Valentine's ? The ones that are naturally frayed at the edges because of constant wear not because you bought the "distressed" style at Abercrombie? Yep, that's what truly breaks my heart. (If you see an extremely fashionable criminal running around the area, give me a ring—my flannel shirt was also taken.)

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know why I may be out of pocket today, if you're trying to reach me with some great story idea or you're a business owner wondering how you can claim your listing.

I hope you have a much better Valentine's Day than me, Cockeysville. But seriously, lock your doors.