my valentine

Ben and I usually celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 13^th (vs the 14^th) because we are so opposed to being mainstream. I am only kidding; I honestly cannot remember why we started this deviant little tradition, but I have enjoyed the 13^th’s of the past for the relaxed 14^th’s it affords. My favorite Valentine’s that I can remember with Ben thus far was our junior year of college. Our church had given each member $5 as sort of a challenge to see what kind of gift you could generate to give back to the church. We decided to sell a Valentine’s Day dinner: I would cater the event and husBen would be the man-servant (the waiter if you will). Two couples bought the dinner for $100 a piece and showed up to my little eclectic college home on that February 14^th. By that time, I was already sweating in the kitchen (in my sexy sweatpants) and Ben was fully decked out, bowtie and all, in his black-watch plaid tuxedo, ready to facilitate some romance. I hid behind the curtain most of the dinner as Ben refilled wine glasses, whisked away empty plates and set down the next courses, charming his way through every move. The evening went beautifully and the couples seemed very thankful for the exaggerated effort we made. What a V-day!

Since we are going against our grain and joining the masses for the celebration of Russell Stovers and roses tomorrow (since Ben has a late class tonight), I decided to write him a little public declaration of my love...right here…right now.

Dear husBen, here are just a few reasons why I love you:

You have red hair

You have a maturity only acquired through facing real difficulty

You can rock a bow-tie

You actively seek after and struggle with the same God that I do, and I have been proud of your spiritual growth over the years that I have known you.

You brought Quimby dog into this relationship (and I am so in love with him!!).

You are handsome. Like on par with ryan gosling.

You know how to relax when I don’t.

I can tell you will be a good dad by the way you interact with Abram.

You are a servant.

You love and prioritize your family…and I actually love your family so much that it makes me love you more.

You have really taken on “mowing” (vacuuming) as your job. And that distinguishes you from most husbands.

You are very knowledgeable about wines.

You are an athlete.

You adored me. Hey it’s hard not to like that.

You have good friends. That means you are a good friend.

You get compared to Robert Redford, JFK, and British royalty…and I like that.

I like that you seem to get us places fast- it makes me think that I am an inadequate driver…but I do not need to be a good one since I have you.

You are my greatest blessing.

Happy Valentine’s Day