What A Sweet Valentines Day!

Another Valentines Day has come and will soon be just another memory to press between the pages of my mind, as Elvis sang so well.   This was our 32nd Valentines Day.  And out of all of them, this one is noticeably different.   Not because of what was or wasn't exchanged, but because of the news my husband got just a few days ago.   The news of him deploying for his third tour of duty: Afghanistan again.

This, and a very intense, vivid dream that I had but two days before the news came, helped the force of that news and it's impact upon us.   It wasn't scary.  It carried no fear.   Been here and done this so many times now that it's almost commonplace to say "Good-bye" every other year.   

Yet, my already tender husband, is even more so this time.   I happen to be fighting an upper respiratory infection with all of the sneezing, etc. that goes with it, but even that doesn't explain the "extra" that is happening around the both of us, surrounding us, moving us, touching us, touching one another.  

How do I begin to explain the love that we have for one another after all of these years together?   And how can I ever begin to try to explain the noticeable difference that has enveloped us?    Obviously, the Lord is even now beginning to prepare us for this next separation and is ever so gently reminding us how much we enjoy the simple joys of our life together.

So for our simple Valentines Day today, as so many before, we did just the normal things of life: we went grocery shopping.   I know.   How romantic!   *giggle!*   But it's just those everyday simple things that we share together that I love so very, very much.   Most years we have not had the money to do or to get something for one another.   So when we are able to, it's just all the more meaningful.    But like I said, it's different this time.

I would like to share a photo of my Valentines Day with you.  The pink tulips are from my Grizz (hubby's nickname.)   And the mixed bouquet of red tulips are from my best friend, Martha.   I'm a sucker for flowers, but tulips are my most favorite to get as soon as they show up in the stores. 

Also, Grizz gave me a necklace that I've wanted for months and months!   It says, "by grace alone" on a silver disk.  And I gave my Grizzter a manly necklace that is a silver shield with a cross cut-out in the middle of it, and it simply says, "God's Soldier".  You can see both items at http://store.dayspring-store.com/jewelry.html .

Thank you for letting me share my day with you.   I hope that your V-Day was a good one, too!

With Love,

Patti