(just as an aside, to my “followers” who received the valentine’s day post in their inbox last night : with horror this morning I discovered that I had inadvertently published the piece before I was finished – so this is the edited and complete version of the story. My apologies for cluttering up your inbox, but I didn’t want to leave you with that other thing- please delete it! Thank you for understanding.)
This is the true story of how I spent my valentine’s day… And I have to warn you, its not very romantic. at all.
I awoke this morning at 6 am as my husband left for work. Alone with my kitchen aid, a pound of butter and four pounds of confectioner’s sugar, I frosted four dozen cupcakes for a 9am delivery.
On our way to drop off the baked goods, I was flipped off by another driver who was obviously more anxious about getting somewhere on time than I was… It was a great way to start off my Valentine’s day. I considered waving to him and saying “Happy Valentine’s Day!” but, I didn’t want him to get out and shoot me at the next intersection in his road rage.
We arrived back home and we tried to do school, we really did. But, with thoughts of sweets and treats in mind and valentines and fun, no one was in the mood for school. Not even me. In my homeschool world I’ve come to believe, inappropriately, that no one else takes a day off. And that if we take a day to relax just a bit, I am thwarting my children’s education. Today, in my mind that meant I was not loving my children well. Or so I thought. So, I forced Isaac to listen to two chapters of “Charlotte’s Web,” instead of one. Now that’s real love, right?
Later, we sat down to make valentine’s for each other. It was a lot of fun being crafty together and even Isaac enjoyed making “Star Wars” valentines for his daddy. Nothing says “I love you” like a “puffy” sticker of Darth Vader’s head, that’s what I always say.
I made dinner for my sweet little valentines consisting of pink pancakes, tater tots and sausage and scrambled eggs with fizzy cranberry punch to drink. I knew it would be a hit, and it was. There was great delight and rejoicing upon my announcement of our dinner menu.
When we had finished eating dinner and began to exchange our valentines, I came to realize that my lovely children, who I spend every day pouring my life into theirs with love and care, had made two valentines each for their dad, but none for me. At that point I went downstairs to work out (alone) on my elliptical and my sweet, understanding hubby did the dishes. I consider this a more than fabulous Valentine’s gift. I never dreamed growing up that being married to someone who understands would be such a gift. I suppose that IS romance, to me.
As I worked out, I listened to angry girl rock songs about break ups and unrequited love – which got me moving, but are a bit confusing for a true romantic like myself, and the antithesis of romance on Valentine’s Day.
Once kids were in bed, I had a few minutes to myself and life began to slow. And my thoughts, they stopped spinning, turning in the only reasonable direction on Valentine’s Day. As I relaxed and allowed my mind to focus on what is truly important, I realized I have all the love I need. and it has nothing to do with this commercial holiday.
No matter what the circumstances are, I know I am loved. And not just on Valentine’s day, but every day. It is clear to me that this knowledge is very important. I need to know that there is one who loves me perfectly and unconditionally. People spend a lot of time looking for that love… in other humans or material things. But there is only One who can love me the way I need to be loved.
A beautiful duet that I used to sing with my dad came to my mind this evening and I haven’t stopped singing it since. I am His and he is mine – forever. Now that is something I can really celebrate.
Thank you Heavenly Father for your never stopping, never giving up love…
- Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so.
Oh, this full and perfect peace!
Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.- Heaven above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.
- Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.
- His forever, only His:
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heaven and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline;
But, while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.
daily portion 