Happy Valentines Day!

Well here we are on the loveliest day of the year. Everyone who is a part of a couple is making plans to compete with the crowded restaurants or buying a gift that says I love you. Guys, remember, nothing says I love you like $72 roses that die in two days. I’ve talked with several people who are trying to do something original and creative and some who have developed some traditions in their relationships that they will celebrate together. All good stuff, all showing the love.

I listened to a couple last night who was in their 70s who were on a panel, answering questions to a group of expectant parents. This little old man was passionate about his wife. I mean seriously in love with her. He talked about things they did to protect the honor of their marriage and things they did to keep communication open. But his wife mentioned one thing that I have a feeling was the biggest of all for them. She told of how she still, after 41 years of marriage will find little notes from him around the house, in her purse, or wherever she would be sure to find them, that told her in little snippets that he loved her. Answering a question about why love gets better over time, he said, “Let each other know how much you love the other, and do it often. It is vital to our relationships. Communication, to be sure is the proving ground for love, but showing our love on a regular basis is vital to the health of our relationships.” Another man on the panel said that their relationship took a turn for the better when he learned to speak “womanese.” He said she came in the kitchen one day as he was putting away dishes and gave him a slap on the rear and said, “you’re never sexier than when you’re doing the dishes.” He found out what she loved….he did a lot more dishes from there on out.

As you are doing Valentine’s Day stuff, is it awkward to anyone else that you aren’t romantic or particularly thoughtful more often? This could be an issue I’m alone on, but somehow I doubt it. I have this self-critical feeling that it’s great to show Kinsey this one day how special she is, but not so good that it is in such contrast to the normal days. That after all is what she fell in love with, me being totally in love with her and spending my time and energy showing her. That after all, is what she deserves.

Let’s take Valentine’s Day this year as a New Years of sorts for our love. We make resolutions at the New Year to do this or that, lose weight, go back to school, pay off the car, whatever. Let’s use Valentine’s Day, instead of just a day to show our love for one another, as a renewal of our love, a spark, a setting of a new direction.

I keep coming back to this passage where the Pharisees were asking Jesus what the most important commandment was, and he says to love your God and love your neighbor as yourself, on these hang all of the law. It’s such an awesome insight, everything we are commanded to do is based out of love for each other and love for God. It is such a beautiful picture of how we are to relate to one another and the importance of it. Love each other today and always.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Steven