We celebrated Valentine’s Day in our usual way, with the family gathered in the living room with the youngest child, Rebekah, passing out the messages of love from our special box.
In the early years, we made the traditional Valentine’s box embellished with hearts, glitter and stickers by the kids. About five years ago, I went for the idea of creating a lifetime family tradition – having a box we used year after year. I decorate for this holiday and leave all the adorable hearts up for two more weeks, when we celebrate our wedding anniversary.
My husband fulfilled all my romantic ideals by buying flowers on Friday, so I could enjoy them all weekend.
But, on Valentine’s Day, it wasn’t that flowers that proved his love for me. They were a beautiful reminder, and I was very appreciative. Their sight and smell speak to me each time I walk by them. I realized, though, that even if he hadn’t purchased me the traditional dozen red long-stemmed roses, I would have still felt his powerful love for me.
I have learned to see his love in a million different ways throughout the week.
He has cooked for me almost every evening of my low-iodine diet.
He send me love messages during the day by email or by IM.
He senses my moods and acts accordingly to what I need – hugs, alone time, listening or talking.
He reads my blogs and says often, “This is the best one yet!”
He fathers the kids in a way that makes me love him more.
He reads his Bible so he can lead us in the paths of righteousness.
He prays for me.
He looks at me and I know I am cherished.
The roses are a beautiful affirmation of what he daily proves, not a guilty purchase to make up for a day, a week, a month or a year of bad behavior. They are never a guilt offering, they are a love offering.
But, it was this present that made me feel the most loved.
When one of crazy little monkeys had a sudden onslought of the stomach flu, and threw up all the way to the bathroom and all over the bathroom, he wiped it up.
Never in my wildest imagination, as a single woman longing for that Prince to sweep me off my feet, did I imagine wiping up vomit would be a qualitication for the Perfect Man. My hubby even has held the bedpan for me as I puked my way through several hospital visits for cancer.
Single women – take note. Can you imagine the guy you have your eye on wiping up vomit? Hmmmm….maybe you should keep looking.
There is no wistful daisy-petal-pulling in my world – I only have to use one line from the poem.
He loves me.
He loves me.
He loves me.
He loves me.
And I love him, too.
Thank you for a special Valentine’s weekend, honey!
In case you were wondering how I got that picture of the roses.
Guess I can never yell at the kids for standing on the dining room table again.
So, I’m starting a new week focusing on the love my husband and I have for each other in the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
That’s all I need to pull me through another Monday and another week, ready and willing to accept whatever the week brings – a cord of three.
(Pop over to visit Nan on Making Your Home Sing Monday to see what other moms are doing to start the week off right.)
How loved you are…by God and by your Knight in Shining Armor! Beautiful post…great photographs too…standing on the table…tsk, tsk! ;-)Kimmiemama to 7one homemade and 6 adopted
Hi Mindy…how truly delightful! SO glad to hear you are cherished as you should be! xxx
This was beautiful. I've been talking a lot to my teen daughters about what real love looks like- your post is a perfect example.
i love the line about single women looking at that special guy and wondering if he will clean up vomit.. priceless..and ya you can yell at the kids for standing on the table all on account of the mommy clause.. just cause mommy says or does it dont mean you can untill you are a mommy or dady.. i use that alot..lol.
You know, ya gotta love a husband who cleans up vomit, lol!When I was in the hospital with meningitis and then home recovering, my husband and I were just dating. But he would come over and visit, even though I slept most of the entire time he was there/So he visited with my parents (who were taking care of me) and fed me soup and encouraged me to eat!hey, I will be heading your way next week or so. You ought to email me your phone number so that maybe we can meet for lunch or a coke! I need to go to the homeschool bookstore soon, so I'll be in your area.
Your post made me cry! I am thankful for my husband also. Even though we have only been married for almost 4 years, he has proved to be more than I ever imagined. We both have our faults and failings, but it has never made him love me less. Only more as he longs and strives to teach me (whether by word or example) to be more like Christ). Thanks for the beautiful post!
This is the best one!
I love you with all my Heart.
I am so glad God has blessed you with such a Godly, caring man. What a wonderful post proclaiming true love.
As I read your post I remembered an article someone posted this past week about "Settling for your mate". There was a lot of info. It was not written by a Christian author, I don't think anyway, so it referenced a lot of worldly influences. Anyway, if those women are going to "settle" for a husband…they better take your advice and "settle" for a guy "that can wipe up vomit" at least. 🙂
Love your post Mindy.
"He looks at me and I know I am cherished."Perfect! That's what love is all about.Love the box idea. 🙂