Last night it was not a picture-perfect Valentine's. I was sick with a nasty cold and barely had enough energy to make homemade heart pizza and blueberry muffins. Patrick came home with a "Theraband" bouquet of flowers and it made me smile wide.
I was happy with myself that we at least had made a Valentine's craft together, but Easton didn't think Valentine's Day was very good this year because "we didn't do anything fun." (Even though I had set out baskets of candy with a red candle in the morning, and he had a great Valentine's exchange at school, and we read a Valentine's story after lunch.) I admit, I didn't do everything I had planned, and by the time the little ones were in bed, I was feeling pretty discouraged.
 |
| {Easton just wanted his picture taken with a cheesy smile} |
 |
| {This is Maylie all ready for prayers} |
Patrick and I didn't do any of the fun or exciting things I had planned to do together...just watched a few YouTube Valentine's videos and listened to music while falling asleep on the couch. We were spent and exhausted and I felt worse than ever.
It truly wasn't a picture-perfect night, but I learned that love is there and constant despite sickness or fatigue or discouragement. And maybe this is what the true meaning of Valentine's Day is. True love. Love made manifest in sacrifice and patience. Quiet and Christlike love.
