Valentine's Day- A Day to Celebrate Love

I know there are many people who dislike Valentine's Day... claiming that it's a commercialized holiday and that we shouldn't need a day set aside to show our love, that we should show it every day. I agree that both of those statements are true. But I still like Valentine's Day. I suppose it's really no different than Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July, and even Easter and Christmas. I mean, we shouldn't need a special day to celebrate our mothers... we should do it every day. Yet, Hallmark and flower shops bank big on Mother's Day! And we shouldn't need just one day to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection... we should remember and celebrate it everyday. And the same goes for Father's Day, 4th of July, and Christmas. All of these holidays stand for things that we should celebrate every day, and not just one day. However, having a holiday devoted to these allows us, in the right perspective and with the right attitude, to truly celebrate something important and special together as a country. It gives us one day where we put more thought, energy, thankfulness, and time into it than other days.

I think Valentine's Day seems different because the flowers, cards, and chocolate get blown out of proportion (but doesn't easter candy and Christmas gifts too?). But celebrating love is never a bad thing. In fact, it's the greatest commandment- love the Lord your God and love one another! And celebrating it seems like a great thing to me! It shouldn't have to include spending money, but there's nothing wrong if it does (I told Ben last night that I truly wouldn't be disappointed if he didn't get me anything- and I meant it!). It also shouldn't have to be limited to spouses and significant others. I love it when families make cards for each other and remind each other of their love on Valentine's Day.

I am thankful for those I love- family and friends. And I'm especially thankful for my husband. He surprised me with what is one of my favorite gifts I've ever gotten from him- a spa and salon gift card! (He's probably sick of me bugging him for back rubs.)

The best thing is that Ben's a great husband all year round, and not just on Valentine's Day. He works hard for us, to provide for us (he's actually spending his entire Valentine's Day at Red Lobster working) and also to help around the house... here he is making dinner...

He has also been getting me gifts for the last few mondays, just because... His love language is definitely gifts! I appreciate his thoughtfulness. The first week, he got me this bamboo plant (my friend Laken who is in this picture has also been getting gifts/cards from her husband on Mondays... I'm not really sure what made our husbands decide to do this for us, but it's sweet!)
The 2nd week he got me Bath and Body Works spray and shower gel (I LOVE practical gifts... and everyone needs shower gel!)
And this past week, I forgot to take a picture, but he got me McDonalds for breakfast... yumm, greasy goodness!

So today, on Valentine's Day, I want to say I LOVE YOU to my husband, Benjamin. We were young when we fell in love (just 16!), and I'm so thankful for how far God has brought us. I'm glad he's constantly working in both of our lives. We're so different, but God has used our differences for so much good. Ben's not perfect- there's times I wish he'd take less naps or take the garbage out before it's overflowing or not get frustrated so easy... but luckily, along the years, I realized I'm not perfect either. And I'm thankful that he's always loved me just the way I am and hope that God will continue to teach me how to show that same love back.