Well, it’s Valentine’s day. And before I met you, I hated this day...mainly because I was a bitter single woman (you think I’m kidding). It seemed every where I went, I was reminded of how alone I was.
You see, I have always been a hopeless romantic. Even as a tiny little girl, whenever I saw gestures of love, I would sigh “It’s soooo romantical.”
I couldn’t wait for the day someone would buy me chocolates, a big huge teddy bear and a dozen roses. For someone to surprise me with a piece of sparkly jewelry and take me out on the town. Someone to love me.
But darling, it was only after marrying you and becoming your wife, that I realized just how much you really do love me. And none of it has involved tacky red and pink stuffed animals or chocolate.
You have shown me that love is jumping in the car as I’m trying to drive away after a big fight, and not letting me go.
Or eating Mexican food for the billionth time this week, because you know it’s my favorite.
You’ve shown me that love is simply holding each other and letting the tears do all the talking when we lost our first baby. No words needed to be spoken between us.
True love is when you held back my hair while I was throwing up my guts, and always had a wet rag for my face nearby.
You have shown me what true love is by still finding me attractive when my tan skin and smaller waist gave way to puffy fingers and chalky white skin, speckled with stretch marks.
Or by saying “You are so cute.” when you wake up next to me...matted hair, sleepy eyes, morning breath and all.
You have loved me big in so many small ways.
And because of you I am learning for the first time what real love is.
Love is not mere sentiment and feelings. Love is doing the hard thing...and loving the unlovable. Love is choosing to have mercy on the one who deserves judgement. And forgiving when you have the right to stay angry.
And the way you have treated me every day has taught me this.
Thank you for being willing to love me...craziness and all. And being a daily reminder to me of what the Gospel is--real love. You are a heaven sent blessing in my life, Chris, and I don’t know what I’d do without you!
I’m so thankful you are the person I get to learn to love better for the rest of my life.
