Valentine's Day Surprise!

Valentine's Day has never been a big deal in our family...try as I might. Pat has almost always felt that it is a commercial holiday, and that there is nothing to celebrate. He has used the excuse that he does things for me throughout the year to express his love for me, which is true. I will receive on occasion an unexpected bouquet of flowers, which I truly appreciate. However, the past few years I would give him a card, maybe a little box of a favorite candy, and he just says, "You shouldn't have done anything... I didn't do anything for you." But, I don't care. I'm not doing it for him because I expect something in return. I am doing it because I love him and while, yes it is true, that I do many thoughtful things for him throughout the year the fact is that he is my Valentine and I do it because it makes me happy. So, I guess that makes me selfish, but I don't really care in this matter. I love to show love and I especially love to show love to my husband! So, arrest me!

We have had several discussions of late about Valentine's Day. He keeps thinking that I am trying to get him to do something, when that isn't the case at all! I have come to the reality that even though my husband doesn't give me a gift on Valentine's Day it is okay; because he really truly loves me. I mean, how could he live with me otherwise! He loves me for all the mushy reasons there are, but for the solid ones as well. I am grateful for the relationship we have. I love that we are nearly married for 31 years and we still love being around each other! I love that we are just content to be in each others space; not that we have to be talking or anything, but just being there, together.

But the real reason I wrote this post is because he surprised me last night. He walked in the house with a dozen red roses and said, "Happy Valentine's Day!" Do I care that its not Valentine's Day yet? No! Not at all! I am just happy that he thought to get me something; it means so much more!

Plus, our son, Sam, turns 30 today. I felt like the flowers were also in honor of me being his mom. ....Sam is thirty.... I am so grateful for him in my life. I am so pleased with the person that he is, the father that he is. Rylee and Sadie know how much he loves them and it is just a pleasure to see how much they love him. So, not only do I celebrate Valentine's Day in February, but also the birth of Sam, Rachel, and now Sadie! It's a great month... definitely a month of love.

My beautiful Valentine's Day flowers -- they smell even sweeter than they look!