(Actual wedding hands, circa mid-eighties)
Hopefully everybody filled their tanks yesterday with flowers, food, chocolate and lovin’. It seems that for many it is the only day of the year that it becomes a priority. Especially to the guys at Safeway at 6:30pm trying to decide whether the remaining mums or the potted plants scream “I love you and bought these on purpose” best.
My wife, my Eternal Companion (my EC for short) has been mine for more than half of my life now. We are now into the majority phase. By contrast, the pre-EC days seem to fade further away from memory, until I can hardly imagine life without her. Nor do I want to.
My EC carries a much bigger burden than she even knows. She is my motivation for getting through this life and into the next. I cannot imagine an eternity without her next to me, and that drives me to do what is right. Yes, I love God, and desire to return to Him, but my daily reminder of what is gloriously possible is currently asleep in the next room. Not snoring.
Last night a dear friend of mine passed away, leaving behind his lovely wife. On Valentine’s Day. I don’t know how I would feel about that. My heart aches for her. As I visited with him Sunday, he showed no fear of moving into the next world. He was well-equipped and fearless. Yet the potential separation from his wife and children caused the tears to flow. I cannot fathom.
So, chocolate strawberries and roses are fine once a year, but the true measure of the love is shown daily. The tone of voice, the help around the house, the trips to the temple, leading the family, the kisses without expectation, the “I love you’s” all last longer than yesterday’s goodies.
Time is precious. And fleeting.
Yeah, Valentine’s Day is fun around here because of the kiddos…but neither the husband and I are really into making it a big deal. (although I did get carnations yesterday, and they were lovely, thankyouverymuch 🙂 he got them at the grocery store and gave each of our daughters one, and they were over the moon about it.
Sigh. I can’t think about losing the husband. I would be devastated, to say the least. He is what keeps me together day by day. So sorry for your friend.
Gosh, maybe I should try and show love on V day instead of feel picked on that I didn’t receive the sappy card I would just throw away. hmmmm??
Anna – thank you for your kindness. But I can’t quite get my head around heart-shaped hotdogs. (?)
Beautiful post. I’m sorry for your loss.
I’m a woman, but I actually don’t have any expectations on Valentine’s day. Don’t get me wrong, chocolate is great anytime, but I actually suggested not buying presents this year.
I did made little hotdogs into heart shapes and made pink colored shakes for the family. I’d rather show the love, than buy a present and call it love.
I hope that came across okay. I don’t despise Valentine’s Day at all. And I don’t see anything wrong with buying presents on it. I just don’t view it the same way as some commericals make it out to be.
Ha ha! I get the same message when I try and follow you. Must be a blogger problem. I’ll try back later. Your blog looks like a funny one.
YES! Another man blogger. And Mormon too! We dudes need to stick together.
Great post. I dig calling your wife EC!
Not sure why you couldn’t follow me. Blogger has been acting strange today. TRY AGAIN SOON! I am following you now.