I LOVE to Love You

(Couple's Valentine Dinner 2013)

I have always been a big fan of love. I tell my children almost daily that I LOVE love. And I do. I love the way love makes my heart feel, all bursting, and full, and warm. I love love letters, and romantic movies, and grand gestures. I love intimacy, and sharing secrets, and stolen looks across the room. And holding hands. Holding hands is my favorite. I love building a life with my best friend. And I love the way that Boss still knows how to make me feel beautiful, even though a decade and four babies together has changed my body significantly.

But love isn't always easy. In fact, it often requires much hard work.

We live in a self centered society. Or perhaps, it really isn't even about the society that we live in, though I do believe that plays a part. Perhaps we are self centered because we are sinful beings and selfishness comes naturally to us. I may not always like me, but I always love me. I love having things go my way. I love doing things on my own time. I love being right. I love having alone time, time to focus on my goals and my dreams.

But really, that's not love.

Love is not selfish. Love is selfless.

Love is less of me, less of what I want, or think, or feel, and more of others. My sweet husband is so good at loving me. He shows me love in the way he rises early with our early birds, so that I can rest longer. He shows me love through forgiveness, always humble in offering an apology if he feels he has wronged me in any way (trust me, 'sorry' is not always an easy word for me to say!). Boss shows me love by helping out around the house, rubbing my tired pregnant feet, and by listening to my dreams.

We forget that true love is most often best displayed more through the doing and less through the feeling.

Love letters and grand gestures are nice, but love must also be present in the day to day. In the little ways that too often go unnoticed and unappreciated.

For Valentine's Day this year, I decided that I wanted to show Boss some love. A bit of a grand gesture combined with serving and doing. An evening set aside to cater to him, to meet his needs, and to make him feel special. I got some girlfriends on board (who also wanted to pamper their hard working husbands!) and we set the ball in motion!


(The Table)

We had our men meet up at one of the houses, while we went to a different house to prepare for our romantic evening in.Then we sent our guys a text message that started them on a scavenger hunt. Their first assignment was to purchase bow ties to wear to the dinner we were preparing for later that night! Can you even imagine three men in their thirties holding up bow tie after bow tie to see which one best coordinated with their outfit? Hilarity!

(Studly Husbands in Bow Ties)

While the men were out scavenging, the ladies were preparing them a meal of steak, homemade mashed potatoes, and asparagus.

(My Talented in the Kitchen Friend, Kristin)

(Cute Heather Rockin' Her Apron)

 And we each took special care to prepare our husbands favorite dessert. It was a beautiful evening of a delicious candlelit meal, laughter, friendship, and serving the great men that so often serve us. There was also plenty of sweet stolen looks and much hand holding. Did I mention that hand holding is my favorite? The evening was a beautiful combination of grand gesture meets everyday love.

(Boss, My Forever Valentine)

I am so thankful to have a husband who is so very patient with me. It has taken me many years to figure out this thing called love. This thing that is less about feeling and more about doing. This thing that is less about me and more about him. I don't always get it right. But I'm working on it, every single day, in all the little ways.

Boss - I love you! I will always LOVE to love you! Happy Valentine's Day!

P.S In case I forgot to tell you, you looked incredibly studly in your bow tie!

(Boss Speaks my Love Language)