A Day of Love

On one of our first dates I told Rob that, if things got serious between us he needed to know something important about me. I don't do Valentine's Day. Maybe it's because I worked at a flower shop for 7 years so I associated Valentine's Day with bloody hands from dethorning hundreds of roses, long days/sleepless nights and angry customers. Maybe it's because I got married later in life so I was jaded by many "bad" Valentine's Days of past. Or maybe, on the flip side, I watched my parents intentionally love each other 365 days a year so I learned at an early age that love shouldn't just be shown one day out of the year. No matter what skewed my views of Valentine's Day, I am not a fan of the Hallmark holiday.

To me, as I said, love is shown 365 days a year. Yes, Rob and I went out for a nice steak dinner last night. But, it was because both boys were hanging out with friends, we had a gift card to use and we hadn't spent quality time together for a couple weeks. It was a really, really good dinner but tonight's dinner at home will be just as nice because I will have made it for my boys out of love. 

The boys woke up to a small Valentine Day treat and candy. Later today I will make chocolate covered strawberries because both boys love them. I do these things because service is my love language. I LOVE giving to others, doing things for them. That brings me joy. So, today and every day, I will show those around me that I love them through the little things I can do. Whether you go all out on Valentine's Day or it's just another day for you, I hope your day is filled with much love!

Spring in February

 This isn't going to be a long post and it's more for me than anything. It's for me to look back on when it's miserably hot and I'm complaining about the heat.

The Fall is usually a busy time for us- back to school activities, football, golf, deer season. By the time Winter hits, I am ready for slow days. Days where we sit around, watching football or a movie by the fireplace. Days where we roll out of bed at 7am and it's still more dark than light outside. Days where we eat dinner at 5:30pm because it seems so late in the day.

BUT, this is the first time I am over Winter. I have been perpetually cold for 2 months straight. I wake up with a scratchy throat due to a draft in our bedroom. I take scalding hot baths every night, trying to warm up. I bundle up to walk my dog. I charge my battery pack so my heated jacket can be warm all day. The heated seats in our vehicles are on more than they're off. I am over the cold!

Today I woke up, excited, because we have a busy weekend ahead of us. We took the boat out last night and, although we didn't catch anything, it was fun to be on the water again. The boys piled up on our bed when we got home and we did devotions, laughed, talked and didn't have to be piled up under blankets to enjoy our time together. This morning we're heading off to a local beekeeping supply store and then are going to visit a friend in the hospital. Tonight I am going to enjoy a girls' night with 2 of my closest friends. Tomorrow we have a big soup potluck after church and then we may or may not watch the Superbowl. In between it all, I am going to be outside- doing yardwork or playing with my dog. 

It feels like we're waking up from a long Winter's nap and, I for one, am very excited about the warmer weather, busier social life and longer days. Bring on Spring!