Happy first Valentine's..

Let me start off by saying that the 'first' Valentine's Day as a married woman was not what I expected. Thursday evening I began to feel a sickness coming on and by Saturday (Vday) I was NOT feeling 100%. However, such is life, and you learn to move with it. Even though my Valentine's was not exactly what I had envisioned, it was none the less wonderful.

My Valentine's actually started at 10:30 Friday morning because that's when a dozen beautiful tulips were delivered to my classroom. It was so fun opening a huge box of flowers in front of my students; the girls giggled and the boys, well, they were a little jealous haha not really. But it was so fun getting to tell the kids that 'Mr. Josh' gave me flowers for Valentine's (along with the sweetest note ever!)...the kids love Mr. Josh and hearing about him.

That night at our church they were showing FIREPROOF to anyone who wanted to come watch. Josh and I, wanting to see the movie, but not too thrilled about the acting, decided to go. Let me just say that we are SO glad we went. We were blown away by the Christian message that it delivered. If you have never heard of it, we HIGHLY recommend the movie. It is about a married couple on the verge of divorce, yet the husband commits to the 'LOVE DARE' challenge (you'll find out in the movie) from his father. Although it delivers several religious messages about the committment and love within marriage, the most important message it delivers is regarding Christ's unfailing love towards us. Afterward, so much great conversation was sparked between the two of us as we processed the movie and what was taught throughout it. Anyway, I could do a whole blog post just about the movie...but I'll save you time...just go to the website

On Saturday I woke up to an empty bed and still felt bad, not what I had expected on Valentines...but whatever! I got up to make Josh a big yummy breakfast when minutes later he walked through the door with a warm Starbucks white choc. mocha, my favorite magazine, and the sweetest card. We enjoyed breakfast together, exchanged our gifts, and I went back to bed...for 2 more hours. The day went on and that night Josh made such a yummy dinner for me...chicken fettucini alfredo, caesar salad, and garlic bread...probably one of my favorite meals! It was so delicious!!!

Looking back on a day when the world has created such high expectations for people in, and not in, relationships I'm reminded of what really matters most:
1. a husband willing to do whatever it takes to make our marriage stronger...even if it means watching Kirk Cameron in FIREPROOF
2. a husband who demonstrates selfless love by taking care of his sick wife on vday...probably not the most romantic thing!
3. being in a marriage where hardships arise, lesson's are learned, and yet both are looking to a God who demonstrates what TRUE love really looks like.

Here are a few pictures from our day: