Valentine's Day 2012

This day has always been so emotional for me.

As a child, I remember my Mom and my older brother always making sure that I had some kind of a card, even if it was a home made one.  When I was about 3 or 4, I remember my older brother taking me on a date with him and his girlfriend at the time to a Woolworth's lunch counter for a root beer float.  (Bob used me as his chick magnet during those days and I ate up the attention!)  I remember feeling so special as he tucked me on the bus between them.

As  I got older, after Mom and Dad separated, I would usually receive a small heart-shaped box of candy from Dad, and a card and, maybe, some chocolates from Mom. I was probably in Kindergarten before I started making cards to give to anyone.  (Children are so self-centered!)  Sitting at the dining room table, or on the kitchen floor, trying desperately to cut a decent heart shape, or gluing paper doilies to construction paper, were some fun times.

After my children came along, I realized the sheer fun of giving them cards or little gifts to let them know how much I loved them.  Sir Nottaguy and I kept that up until they were married.

Now, Valentine's Day is about us.

If our plans had been able to come together, this would have been our 27th anniversary, but due to travel plans our pastor had made, we celebrate at the end of the month.  I don't regret waiting the extra 9 days.  I have enjoyed our married life so very much.  We've had our tough times.  We've been through counselling for so many different issues.  We've fought and made up.  Sometimes, we've agreed to disagree about something.  Through it all, we've learned that our marriage is not just about us.  Our love has a Third Party involved in every part of it and that makes it doubly precious and rich.  We pray about so many things together and separately, but one thing we always do is make sure we pray together before we go our separate ways for the day and before we go to sleep each night.  Praying together has really helped us to move together in our decisions.

On this Valentine's Day, I just want everyone to know how very much I love my husband.  He's been a wonderful provider, a great encourager, and a fun person through all of the years. I thank God for him.