Today is Valentine’s Day. The Catholic Church recognizes three saints named Valentine/Valentinus (a little history/theology lesson). One of those “Valentines” apparently continued to perform marriages after an Emporer outlawed marriage because he felt single men made better soldiers. We will probably never know if that is how Valentine’s Day came to be known as a holiday associated with love. If you search the internet, you will find a plethora of speculation about this holiday. For some people, it is just another day. For others, it is about romance and roses. And for even others, it is about genuine love for families and friends.
I have never been a sappy romantic. I have always liked Lilies better than Roses. I am not a big fan of chocolate (I am probably going to get my “girly girl card” revoked for saying that). And I prefer those fits of hysterical laughter and teasing between my husband and me to candlelit champagne dinners where we gaze into each other’s eyes. Let’s be honest, after almost 18 years together, that kind of thing wears off. It is replaced by a deeper love, which gives a sense of comfort and security, and knowing you ALWAYS have a date for Saturday night. It is replaced with the knowledge that there is one person in this world made just for you that will always have your back, will agree with you even when you contradict yourself, and will wipe the tears from your eyes when a parent dies, when a friendship ends, when your children are sick, when you have just had a bad day at work or school. It is the face that you know you want to wake up to every morning for the rest of your life. It is the person who accepts you and you accept them, flaws and all... when you are decked out in sweatpants, hair all a mess, scrubbing the toilet… this person will walk in and tell you that you are beautiful. And you ACTUALLY feel like you are, as long as you don’t get a glimpse of yourself in the mirror at that moment!!!
So today, on this day, whatever your plans may be…take a minute to love deeper, speak sweeter, and give the forgiveness you’ve been denying. Be the husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/mother/father/brother/sister/FRIEND you might not always be, but the one you would like to have. Make today worthwhile and if you can't be with the one you love, then at least love the one you're with.
♥
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