Valentine’s Day prompts us to send our love to dear ones. Whether that means sending cards, candy, flowers … or diamonds may depend on things like our budgets or the particulars of the love we feel.  Is it brotherly, parental, or romantic?

Love is embodied in many different languages. Sometimes, the sweetest and most sincere expressions are found in behaviors – rather than words or ‘things.’

Here’s one shining example:

After being a working Mom for many years, my new groom suggested that I stop and, rather than mindlessly seeking a paycheck, that I should figure out my real interests and what I wanted to do.

I have never been a gourmet cook, but I decided to try something new during my time off.  I spent hours in the kitchen one day and served my special menu with great pride and anticipation. I served my husband and two sons first while I completed dishing up.

They sampled dinner and quietly sat with polite, frozen smiles. When I joined them, I took a healthy bite of my ‘creation’ –- before spitting it out.  It was NOT good.  I was the only one who immediately disposed of the taste.

Later, as we sat together enjoying a pizza – I asked why they hadn’t said anything but continued efforts to ‘stomach’ the offering I had served.  They responded, “Well … you worked so hard at it.  We didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”  That’s love.

And here I am, decades later, with a giggle in my heart at that memory.

Love is the greatest gift we can thank God for.  We can rejoice in His love for us – and in our love for one another.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not ^]puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, ^[c]thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

^{1 Corinthians 13:4-7} 

Valentine’s day is a great time to enjoy good memories … and make new ones.  Whether your love language includes words, actions, hearts, candies, flowers, or special dinners – don’t be afraid to express it.  Even mistakes can leave happy memories of the effort.

Blessings, Love, and Laughter to you,

Margaret