Memorable Valentines

I honestly don't remember last Valentine's Day. Actually if I'm hard pressed I can't say that any Valentine's Day has been so memorable that I've kept it locked away. I know I should, I'm probably a bad husband for not remembering. I do think of myself as a hopeless romantic, its easy when you're married to your best friend. She's my queen, the reason I get up each day but I just don't have any recollections of special Valentine's Days. I've always done the "expected": gotten the card, maybe a tiny gift and a meal...the occasional flowers. But not this year.

I feel bad that I haven't done the "expected", but this Valentines is different and needs more than just the "expected". As I type this my Valentine is lying in bed, sick from the poison the doctors have filled her with in hopes that it kills the bad although sacrificing the good. She's had a rough week, but that was to be expected. We just keep telling ourselves "one more, one more".

I did get her a couple of Valentine's Day cards...one was a sweet, "I love you" type of thing. The other I hid in her medicine cabinet, knowing she'd see it when she opened the door this morning. It was "PG-13" and made her laugh. I love seeing her laugh, especially lately. They come fewer and farther between nowadays. But "one more"....

Yeah, obviously the circumstances of this Valentine's Day will make it easier to remember in the future but even with that I think the most memorable thing about this Valentine's Day is in our 21+ years of marriage I've never felt closer to her than I do right now. And I think a lot of it has to do with my attitude. We're typically selfish creatures by nature. I know all the love songs and self help books all say to put the spouse before yourself. But if I'm being honest with myself I don't know that I have truly ever put Allison before my own selfish motivations. I've tried and I'm sure I did a decent job on certain occasions but my overall lifestyle certainly didn't lend itself to her being #1. Sometimes God has a funny way of showing us what our priorities should be.

She is absolutely my first and most important priority in life, I just wish I had truly realized that 21 years ago. I think I "thought" she was but now I "know" better. I know what it means to truly serve my bride and I am loving and cherishing every minute of it. I look so forward to the day she feels better and can enjoy my serving. Right now I believe she thinks she's getting on my nerves! That couldn't be farther from the truth but its hard convincing her! All of this isn't easy, but I'm loving every minute. I love taking her to the doctor, I love getting her another Kleenex, I love learning how to wash clothes (yeah I've been a slacker in this area!).

So....Valentine's Day 2011...as difficult as it may be, it has become my most memorable Valentine's Day. Not solely because of the surrounding circumstances but because I have finally realized (truly realized) what a joy it is to serve my soulmate, to love my best friend and to cherish the part of my life that makes me completely whole.

Proverbs 18:22 says "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD". I am certainly finding favor from my Lord, its evident...He allowed SuperWoman to marry me!

I love you Allison, with every ounce of my being. You are my rock and I praise our Father daily for you. Happy Valentine's Day!