Valentine's Day 1991.....
Having met only a few weeks prior, we were probably both a little apprehensive about how to handle a day that's consumed with pressure and chocolate - and designed specifically for star-crossed lovers. That didn't quite describe us at this point. With my basketball season in full swing, I hadn't been home much for us to get to know each other very well. We both knew there was an attraction, but simply hadn't had the time to figure out how to go forward. Valentine's Day often makes it very awkward for new relationships, and it was upon us.
I decided to go the simple route and get him a card. I have no idea what it said, but I'm sure it wasn't too mushy at this stage. If I remember correctly, I left it on his car while he was in class. I had a full day of classes myself and didn't think much more about it. Apparently my card sent him into Valentine's Day "guilt" mode. We women do this pretty well, I've learned. We have a way of making them think that it's no big deal, and yet when THEY treat it as if it's no big deal, we let em have it! Pretty sure that's somewhere in Genesis as part of the Fall. Or perhaps in the list of spiritual gifts - not sure which.
With my small gesture toward him, he scrambled for something at the last minute. By the time he hit the stores, there wasn't much left. He caught me as I was coming out of my last class and handed me the oddest gift. It was a plastic, rectangular box filled with candy. On top of the box sat a little velvet devil. Yes, devil. Yes, velvet. Looking back, I have no doubt that I thought it was the cutest thing ever, but in the years since, I've realized it was kinda creepy. On his face was the look of "that's all I could find, I hope she's ok with it." I kinda felt sorry for him. He ended up explaining that he really wasn't sure what to do. That's early love for ya. It's all crazy and uncertain.
Tomorrow marks twenty-two years since that day. Hardly a year goes by that we don't mention the creepy little gift and chuckle. Some years since then have been filled with flowers, some with chocolate. Some have been filled with arguments, some with pain. Some with amazing memories, and even some spent with silent treatment. Imperfect Valentine's Days because we are imperfect people.
There's only One who loves us perfectly. He never gets it wrong. He never forgets. He never scrambles around last-minute. His love never fails.
I would like to say we have finally learned our lesson, and now celebrate perfectly with candle-lit dinners and such. But with three kiddos and real-life at every turn, it usually doesn't happen like that. We have, however, learned much about the love of the Savior. From Him we learn forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and sacrifice. And because of His example, we can lay down our own desires for those of others. Not perfectly. Never perfectly. But always striving to love more in the every day. That's what makes this marriage complete - the ultimate example of love....Jesus.
We love because he first loved us....
1 John 4:19
Now, off I go to scramble for a last-minute gift.
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