Before my husband and I got married, before I had a quality long-term relationship, I used to say that when I was married we would always celebrate Valentine’s Day. Now that I have been married for nearly 10 years, I look back and think, “Why was that so important to me?”
Maybe because I never really had a boyfriend around Valentine’s Day.
Maybe because the people closest to me never celebrated Valentine’s Day.
Maybe because I was a dreamer and believed in romance.
In all honesty, Valentine’s Day is still important to me. It is important because I have the love of my life and it is a day to celebrate that love. We do something to commemorate the day each year, but it isn’t big.
Sometimes my husband gets me flowers and my favorite See’s Butterscotch Squares (which, if you have never had them are like milk chocolate and brown sugar maple heaven!). Sometimes he gets me a piece of jewelry (simple yet elegant). One year we just got a heart shaped pizza and watched our favorite movies.
However, what is more important to me is that I have my husband with me every day. I have his love; his patience; his kindness; his goodness.
My uncle once told me that he would wake every morning and say to his wife, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” He said every day should be like Valentine’s Day. Not that there needed to be flowers, candy, cards, or jewelry. But there needed to be love and it needed to be shown and said.
I thought about that long and hard. I wanted that in my marriage. And, I got it! God blessed me with a special man. He is my world; my love; my future.
I thank God for him every day.
So, Valentine’s Day is special, yes. But if I had to make a choice between one day of flowers and chocolates and the world’s view on love and every day “Valentine’s Day” that may include dishes, laundry, picking up after dogs, and making dinner…I choose the latter.
I’ve said good-bye to the pre-married me Valentine’s Day expectations.
I still like chocolates, flowers, jewelry, etc. But, it doesn’t have to be on Valentine’s Day. Sometimes my husband surprises me, and it is “just because.” And I love him for that. But, he knows I don’t have to have those things.
I choose every day as Valentine’s Day.
I choose true, God given love.
