What Valentine’s Day Looks Like After 30 Years

Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Over the years, my love for my hubby has only grown stronger. And it has nothing to do with flowers and candy.

He’s the first one I want to talk to when I have good news. Or sad news.  He’s the one I want by my side at a restaurant, or at church, or at the ballpark. He’s the one who makes me laugh more than anyone can. He’s the one who reads my mind when our eyes meet across the room. He’s my safe place.

I love the way he cuddles with me in the early morning hours before we get out of bed. I love the way he reaches for my hand as we walk across a parking lot. I love the way he respects my opinion. I love the way he makes coffee before I wake each morning, so that I can smell it as soon as I wake up. I love the mid-day text messages, just because he’s thinking of me. I love the inside jokes. I love watching him with our children, and now with our grandson.

In good times and in bad.

We’ve cried together (a few times). We’ve laughed together (many, many times). There have been hurt feelings and harsh words. The cold shoulder and the silent treatment.  The making-up. Lots of forgiveness.

The Lord has been with us through some medical struggles. Infertility: back and forth to Birmingham to doctor appointments, giving myself injections in my belly. His heart attack. Sitting at his bedside at the hospital. Pancreatis. Waiting on test results. The death of his Mother. Difficult things.

In sickness and in health.

Together, we experienced two pregnancies and the births of our beautiful children. We watched them grow up, and celebrated birthday parties with Barney, Strawberry Shortcake, Elmo and Veggie Tales. We spent hours and hours at the ball park, watching them play softball and baseball, and in the gym, watching them play basketball and volleyball. We somehow made it through the teenage years together. The attitudes, the eye-rolling, the learning-to-drive stage, the sleepovers, the video games, the girl drama, and the dating. We even allowed them to make some bad choices along the way, knowing that was the best way for them to learn. We prayed. A Lot. We trusted God to protect them. We trusted God to guide them. We trusted God to work in their lives. We trusted God to use them as He saw fit to impact His kingdom.

Now we’re enjoying them as adults. He walked our daughter down the aisle and danced with her at her wedding. We cried as our son was ordained into fulltime ministry. We’ve recently become grandparents! We’re looking forward to our son’s marriage later this year.

Through it all, our Lord has been so faithful. He’s been so good to us. We give Him the glory.  We remember 1 John 4:19 – We love because He first loved us.

So true love is not about flowers and candy. It’s about sticking together through it all. It’s about loyalty and commitment. It’s about acceptance and forgiveness. It’s about waking up to the smell of coffee. It’s the quiet assurance that all is well, no matter what comes.

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you!