Valentine's Day Dilemma

     I was going to write one of those "I hate Valentine's Day" posts until I realized, I don't really hate it, I just struggle. Each year the week before this infamous holiday arrives, I wrestle with the same two problems. In over twenty years of marriage, I've never been able to solve them.

     I always have the hardest time finding the right Valentine's Day card and gift for my hubby. I will spend hours (okay maybe not hours, but you know what I mean.) trying to find the right card. There are sickening sweet ones, there are funny ones, There are insufferably long poems, there are girlie cards, and "Manly" cards. There are cards that describe the ultimate Superman type of guy, or the super sensitive guy that never says anything wrong.
     The cards are either too gushy, too expensive, or just don't say the right thing, the poems are too long, (did I say that already?) If you're thinking "just forget about the card" I can't do that. Hubby loves cards.


     He's not gushy, a very practical guy, he looks at the back of the card to see how much money was spent (the less the better in his opinion). He does love to get cards so I can't just say never mind and move onto the gift.
    
     Oh and that's another thing- a gift! What do you get a man for Valentines Day, that doesn't like you to spend money? I could cook a meal, but really, my cooking isn't that impressive. I could clean the house, (he is a total cleanie!), but he kind of expects that anyway. .

     ahhhh, I could write him a story... but it would have to be a true story, he doesn't like fiction much....


     Once upon a time, a very long time ago (1983 to be exact), there was a girl. She was twenty-two and had just graduated from college and begun teaching fifth grade at Fairview Elementary, a school just miles from where she had attended as a child.  She had one of those funky 80's hairstyles that nowadays no one can believe was actually ever in style.

     She was not dating anyone seriously. She  really had no desire to do so, after having been in a previous relationship for five years. She knew she needed a break. The "break" had already lasted about two years and she was good with that. The music teacher at the school was interested in dating her and there were a few others from a drama group that had asked her out. She went more out of politeness than anything else.

     One of the men she went "out" with was a friend of a friend of a friend of hers from college. One night he took her to a talent show that was being produced by a Singles ministry in the area.

     There were many talented people in this group. Lot's of singers, comedians, jugglers, flamethrowers.... Okay the truth is I don't remember any of the acts but one, the last man who sang.
This man was good looking, light brown hair, blue eyes, and a great beard (I'm a sucker for a great beard!) but that is not what got the girl's attention that night.
The man told a story about finding out that one of his friends had been murdered the day before, and how he was so upset that he really hadn't felt like singing that night. But on the way to the event, the Lord spoke to him and told him what song he should sing. He said he looked around his car and happened to find the accompaniment tape (yes, cassette tape! I told you it was a long time ago!) to that particular song.

     He then proceeded to sing the song "It is Well".  The girl leaned over to her friend and said "Gary, Who is that guy?" and that was the beginning of the end of her single heart.







     We did get introduced that night, but only barely. During the next month, I decided to get a little more involved in this group and joined one of their homegroups (Read caregroup, bible study, life group, whatever you want to call it.)

     When I walked into the house, who should be sitting in the corner of the room, but my beloved blue eyed singing guy! And of course, being the suave sophisticated person that I am (not!) I stopped in the doorway and said "Your the guy! You're the guy that sang!"  He chuckled and nodded and the romance of my life began.

     Now, twenty-seven years later, twenty-one years of marriage (yes, it took a long time to reel him in!), three children, four houses, two states, and lots of ministry, here we are.

     Happy Valentines Day, Sweetie. I love you.




L