Valentine's Day is always a special day in our family, but this year was one of the very best ever...not because we gave or received expensive gifts. We just loved being together and celebrating our first Valentine's with Brody. Although we don't need a special occasion to show how much we love one another, we do appreciate a day that is set aside just to honor the one's we love. While pondering the meaning and history of Valentine's Day, I was reminded that St. Valentine's Day does not have a peaceful history. It is steeped in blood and violence and reminds me that love is truly the only thing worth fighting and dying for. Our love for our fellow men and our love for our Lord who loved us so much He died for us! When I think about the symbols for love and Valentine's, the color red and the heart, I am reminded of blood and the heart that beats to keep that blood flowing to keep us alive. That also reminds me that the ones I love are as vital to my existence as the life sustaining blood in my veins and the heart that beats in my chest. I never want to take my loved ones for granted or forget to show them everyday that they are loved! That is what Valentine's means to me.
I am also reminded of the special song that my husband and I chose for our wedding song. We did not get married on Valentine's Day, but we chose the beautiful song "Valentine" by Martina McBride because its beautiful words echoed the sentiments of our hearts.
If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you
And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine.
All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And shown me how to love unselfishly
I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
In my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine.
And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
'cause all I need is you, my Valentine
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine.
Our little heart breaker!
Yes, he did try to eat the rose petals I laid on the bed.
We call these cuties the products of our love!
Brody wanted Evan's balloon.
He has my heart!
My sweetheart.
He loved his heart balloon. It's the little things that mean the most.
Me & My Littlest Loves
Melts my heart how much they love each other!
Daddy took Mommy out for lunch on Valentine's, and Daddy and Evan made her some chocolate covered strawberries, and Evan picked out her favorite flowers!
The way to Mommy's heart!
Reading our Valentines when Mommy got home from school.
And Mommy's favorite Valentine present!