Valentine's Day

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and it was a wonderful day. Detrick had made a valentine box and we had little cards ready for the boys with very small treats attached. Bobby had went a little overboard and got me flowers, reese's cups, AND chocolate covered strawberries this year, which I did not complain about. I got him a little mix of some of his favorite things, but nothing too crazy. We also made a nice big lunch/supper for us (which was ridiculously delicious, might I say) before he had work in the evening. It really was just a fun, happy day.

I love getting flowers. I LOVE chocolate covered strawberries. And I especially love the thoughtful, seemingly custom made cards my husband somehow finds for me. (He really is THE BEST card-picker-outer EVER!) And getting them all at once is great, but I am very thankful that I get things like this more than once a year. Some people really hate Valentine's Day for this reason. They think it is important to show love to your partner all through the year and not just on one day. I totally agree, but I also think it is really neat that there is one specific day set aside each year for couples to really think about their relationship and focus on their love for each other. If a couple is having a hard time, Valentine's Day could be that one day for them to really get back on the same page, who knows! Even if it is just a hallmark holiday, taking our money for pretty much no reason, I think it is a perfectly fine "holiday."

Back to the point, I am so very grateful to have a husband who pampers me year round. I almost always have fresh flowers on the table, especially in the summer, that my husband surprised me with for no reason. When he goes to the store and sees something I would like that is small, he grabs it for me. He sometimes even gets me cards for no occasion or reason. But most importantly, he shows that he loves me every single day of his life. My favorite "gifts" from him are when he allows me to sleep in and gets up with the boys, when he unloads the dishwasher, when he vacuums, or when he simply comes home from work and says, "Let's just relax and watch a movie together tonight." These are the types of gifts that women should appreciate most. Instead of being concerned with the dollar amount of the gift or the quality of the item, why not see and appreciate the dollar amount that your husband contributes to support your family, and the quality of the relationship you have with him. If you are able to see and appreciate these "gifts" he is giving you all the time, you will be plenty happy with these extra treats that arrive on Valentine's Day. And to the men, these are the types of gifts that men should give their wives most often. When you see your wife looking beautiful, tell her! When you hear her make a small mention of something she would like, grab it for her next time you run to the store. When she starts being grumpy (for lack of a more appropriate word) because she is exhausted, let her sleep a little. And when she is feeling down, give her some undivided attention. Give her the gift of love everyday of her life, that is what marriage, or any long term commitment, is all about. For all the ladies out there with a man who gives you wonderful gifts everyday of your life together, congratulations and great job! And for the ladies who do not have a man who shows his love for her by doing these simple, helpful tasks, wait for him! These men exist and are out there, and being in this type of relationship is the most rewarding.

I also want to send a big THANK YOU to my husband for being my valentine everyday and for being a real man everyday. I am fortunate to have a man who is so nurturing and thoughtful, and I could not ever express how much I appreciate all the gifts he gives me on a daily basis.