I know that Valentine’s Day isn’t sweet for everyone. For some it’s a painful reminder of what was or what might have been. I have friends whose spouses have left them for someone else; friends who are single – some by choice, some not; and my own mother lost her sweet valentine 25 years ago, much too soon. One very dear friend has become caregiver to his Valentine; she can no longer communicate her love to him in words, so he has to simply know it because of their 60+ prior Valentines Days together. February 14th just doesn’t feel like a day to rejoice or be happy.

But for me, for now, I cannot help but celebrate the love God has brought to my life through my valentine. Some things have changed over the years, but the way we keep Valentine’s Day has not. My valentine has always done it up big. He never forgets, always plans ahead and always makes me feel especially loved and cherished. I know that I am fortunate.

He loves to do special dinners. He is very generous with sweets, flowers, gifts and cards. Oh how we love our cards. We give each other more than one each year. Serious cards, funny cards, mushy cards, silly cards, cards with words that say exactly what we desire to express to each other. I have a beautiful red fabric box, the top of which attaches by a red silk ribbon, in which I keep our cards. This year we simply have too many to fit them all in the box. Last night at a lavish seafood dinner we tried to go through and cull, but each one we read aloud to each other ended with one of us saying, “Oh we have to keep that one, that’s my favorite.” So many cards, such limited box space. But I don’t want another box.

I am so richly blessed in my valentine. He is a faithful godly man who loves God more than he loves me. That is the way it is supposed to be. For when you are loved by someone who loves God first the marriage cannot help but flourish. First love goes to the One who created us and therefore has rights over us; second love to the mate He provided. Because you see healthy Christian marriages don’t just happen by chance. They are a gift from the Lord, facilitated by much prayer and accomplished by His grace and love.

To those who are not currently blessed with such a mate, I would say this. Let Valentine’s Day be a day to remember the One who loves you more than any earthly creature can, the God who wrote your DNA and gave you breath. Give to Him your hurts and desires, your hopes and dreams, your failures and your future, and with your heart aligned with His you too can have the sweetest of days.