My Forever Valentine

This morning my husband woke me up with a kiss on the forehead saying, "Happy Valentine's day....hey, is this our 7th Valentine's day together?"

I sleepily counted on my fingers, "2006, 2007, 2008, 2009......2013" oh my god, it's actually our eighth! That really woke me up...and made me feel just about a million years old. I am in my mid-twenties and I have already spent nearly ten Valentine's days with my husband: five while dating, one while engaged, and now this is our second as husband and wife.

God has been so gracious to us through all of these years. Lately, when I think back on how young we were when we first met (not just our age, but our hearts) I can only think that God really has orchestrated something quite remarkable. He has been so faithful to us despite our many mistakes, struggles, and changes.

I am so lucky that Will and I are not only going to be growing old together, but we will also be growing in love together! I am so thankful for my forever valentine!

I guess Will and I have spent enough Valentine's days together now that we actually have "traditions" of sorts:

• Our very first Valentine's day together Will gave me a bright sunny-yellow orchid. I loved it so much that for the past seven years I have always had a orchid in my room wherever I lived (and I moved many times when I was a student, at least once every-other-year; the orchids always came with me)
• Handwritten cards. In all shapes, colors, and sizes! Actually, I feel like I've gone through so many Valentine's day cards that I've come to the point where I recognize cards on the shelf at the store that I gave previous years. It's like I've already chosen all the good designs-- come on American Greetings/Hallmark/Papyrus, you gotta come up with something new here! 
• Dinner. A given, because we love to eat. 
• No chocolate. Because I hate chocolate.

Nothing particularly unique I suppose, except perhaps the chocolate-less part, but it's a holiday that is full of cliches to being with. What makes Valentine's day special is of course, the special people you spend it with. 

via ChelseaVictoria; I loved the caption: "Find love, and always hold onto it"

This year I have planned to make a special dinner at home so that Will and I can have a quiet evening to relax and pack (sometimes an oxymoron for me) before we leave for our mini-vacation to Napa Valley tomorrow! So excited! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful day with their loved ones!