My Valentine

The first Valentine's Day that Bob and I ever celebrated we were dating but he was miles away on the ship he was posted on in the Navy. Somewhere on the ship they had a set up where sailors could order and have flowers sent to their loved ones. So I was pleasantly surprised when I received a bouquet of a dozen roses with branches of red hearts scattered through out. I still have those hearts, they sit in a vase on my hutch.

Our first year of marriage we went to a couples dinner with our Sunday School class. Next door there was a high school dance. At the age of 19, I barely looked old enough to be a married woman. Bob was five years older and he had a full black beard. He was teasing me and I had just slapped his hand, when a police officer, working the dance, stepped up and asked me if the gentleman was bothering me. Bob quickly snatched my hand and showed him my ring - "She's my wife!' I never let him forget I could have had him arrested LOL!

In the early years of our marriage we usually got dressed up and went out to dinner. Bob was not good at cards or mushy stuff, but he was always appreciative of my pretty dress and couldn't wait to rush home and - well you know. He also always loved it when I wore perfume.

While we celebrated Valentine's Day it wasn't a huge day in our love affair. Bob was never one to buy into the "popular landmarks" throughout the year. He preferred to tell me everyday that he loved me. So time went on and we went out less and stayed in more, sometimes there were cards, sometimes not, we didn't ignore it and we always told each other how glad we were to be "Mr. and Mrs.".


One time we had our picture taken for the church directory and when the photographer asked him how much he loved me he surprised me with a kiss. The fast reacting (and probably lucky) photographer captured the moment and I treasure that photo.

There was a year when I went in to get an ultrasound during a difficult pregnancy only to find that the pregnancy was no longer. It was a very sad (and crappy) day to find out. Bob had also chosen that year to get me a card, a box of chocolates and a book. Unfortunately the book was a Danielle Steel book that starts with a miscarriage (he didn't know). I think that put him off of giving gifts ect on the day for the rest of his life.

I don't even remember what we may or may not have done last year. He had been in and out of the hospital and I was too exhausted to even take note of any particular holiday.

But Bob made me feel loved and special. He was often trying to make my life easier. The last Christmas gift he arranged was a rug cleaner. In his mind it would help lift my load. He made me waffles up until the last month. After getting him up and dressed for the day we would hug and he would tell me I was beautiful and I would tell him how glad I was that he was my husband. He defended, encouraged and supported me.

Not every day was easy, not every conversation was comfortable. We were both stubborn, independent and in some ways selfish or self centered and difficult. But we always knew we loved each other and we were precious to each other. So in some way every day was Valentine's day and so as this year the day on which everybody else celebrates their love approaches I find that it doesn't leave me in tears, because I remember our love every day.