0ur first official date was on this day, 29 years ago.
I surely do love to tell this story!
Jeremy and I attended a Valentine’s Banquet together at our Bible college. As is typical for February in northern Wisconsin, the ground that night was snowy and icy. Jeremy gallantly offered his arm to let me steady myself as I made my way down the slippery sidewalk in formal dress and high heels. It seems that men’s dress shoes aren’t any more practical than women’s, because a few seconds later, he was in the snowdrift and I was trying desperately not to laugh. Poor guy. He tried so hard!
Nevertheless, that awkward start ended up being the beginning of a beautiful love story. For the next 26 years, every February 14th was a pretty special day to us (even though he complained that it wasn’t a real holiday, but rather an excuse for Hallmark to take his money once a year 😂) and he always went above and beyond to make his bride feel loved on that day, even if it was just a single rose in a drinking glass and drugstore chocolates.
And I delighted in doing the same for him.
I love reminiscing about that first Valentine’s Day. The memories make me smile. I think about how often, over the years, I clung to the strength of his arm, literally and figuratively, fully depending on his steady gait to hold me up. Sure, there were times he let me down, just as there were times I let him down, but I never, ever, doubted his love for me.
Most days, I still miss that strength—that steadiness. I’ve been navigating this unsure path without him for 40 months and I’ve slipped up again and again. It’s so easy to tumble into the embankment of “if only.” Especially on hard days. Especially on days I miss loving and being loved. Especially days like today.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I’m spending this entire day alone. Just me and the dog. I told God this morning how hard this day was going to be. I told Him I’d rather pull the blankets over my head and come out tomorrow. I told Him how much I miss being a bride and having a Valentine.
Then the lover of my soul whispered back, “You are My bride. I’ll be your Valentine.”
And so, I face another Valentine’s Day, clinging to the strength of His arm, fully depending on his steadfast gait to hold me up. Although there will surely be many more times that I let him down, He has never, and will never, fail me.
I surely do love to tell His story!
”Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.“
Psalm 63:3
