Valentine's Day

It is a little late to be posting about Valentine's Day, but blame it on my internet connection that decided to call it quits for a few days.  In fact, they had to send out a tech to fix it since Verizon couldn't help over the phone.  Not a big deal, but since we don't have t.v., I was sorely missing my weather reports that I get online.

Brian and I celebrated our second Valentine's Day together as a married couple.  While some people balk at the idea of one day to celebrate love and complain about the commercialism, I enjoy celebrating it.  For sure, it is too commercial, but if you buy into the idea that you have to purchase your loved one an iPad or iPhone, then that would be a problem.  Simple is fine, if you ask me.  I enjoy making an extra effort for one day, even though Brian knows I love and adore him all our days.

I woke up to these on my counter on Valentine's Day:

Brian got me good.  I am difficult to surprise.  I usually figure things out, not because I'm even trying, but I can tell when something is a little off.  Brian had these in his car late Wednesday night, and after I was settled in bed, he used the excuse that he had to go to his car to retrieve his lunch bag. Though his car was in the garage, I begged him to wait until morning; after all, our garage gets pretty cold.  He insisted on going, and for a split second, I thought maybe he was bringing up something for me for Valentine's Day.  I quickly forgot the thought as I was getting ready to fall asleep, and when I came out to the kitchen in the morning to get Brian's breakfast, there they were on the counter.  For a moment, I was stunned.

We celebrated Valentine's Day the day after since Brian had to work that night, but he had a few more treats for me.

The best gift, though, was the beautiful card he gave me and the words he wrote.  As someone who appreciates the written word, that was the most special gift he gave me.

I got Brian a sweater and a DVD that I knew he wanted.  We originally thought we'd go out this year, like we did last, to a Chinese buffet.  I am always somewhat of a germ-o-phobe, but this year, being pregnant has made me more so.  I have been prayerfully avoiding sick people and trying desperately not to catch the flu.  While we enjoyed the buffet last year, I kept picturing sick people sneezing and coughing on the food, and it just didn't seem appealing.  Instead, I picked up our Chinese food to go, and we had the benefit of it being much cheaper.  I made a cinnamon chocolate chip cake for dessert, and we enjoyed a quiet evening in our warm, cozy home, instead of going out.

Perhaps it sounds cheesy, but I thank God for Brian every day.  I am so grateful for him, and I truly think he is the best husband in the world.  He is a wonderful provider and he takes such good care of me and our little one soon-to-come.  When I look back at our courtship, I know it wasn't always easy for Brian.  I didn't play hard to get, because I would never play games with anyone, but I didn't exactly hand my heart over on a silver platter with a sign that said, "Here, come and get it."  I made him work for it.  This wasn't to be cruel, but I had been hurt before, and I needed to see the steady, careful pursuer for a change.  There were times, perhaps early on, that Brian didn't know if he was coming or going!  But I should say he got his reward, which is my fierce devotion and constant faithfulness, every day of our lives.

Perhaps the reason that I love Valentine's Day is because I love him.