He walked me to the kitchen where a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a card were waiting on me. He leaned back against the counter and I leaned back against him, reading my card, willing the tears welling up in my eyes to go away.
Later in the day I gave him his card and his 2 Payday candy bars. He was excited.
We're really pretty simple people. Yet we love deeply.
He spent the rest of the day sleeping, getting ready to go back in and work another night shift. And I spent the rest of the day taking the kids to church and napping with my favorite little 2 year old. I swept floors. Painted fingernails. And ended up making a two dollar and fifty cent little package of soup for dinner that I had picked up at Aldis.
It's not very romantic. But here's why it's okay.
I don't need a special day for me to know I'm loved.
He shows me every day.
It's the way he walks into the kitchen, comes up behind me, and nuzzles my neck, turning me around to steal a kiss or two.
It's the way he holds me when I've had a rough day, and here lately that's been often.
It's the way he says "Let's sneak away for a few minutes."
It's the way he faithfully goes to work to provide for our family.
The way I'll find him sitting on the loveseat playing the Wii with Eli, or find him in a match of Chess with Anna.
The way he asks Emi if she's Daddy's girl and how she always says "No. I mommy's girl." Then laughs and laughs and says "I Daddy's girl. I Mommy-Daddy-Sissy-Bubba's girl." And how regardless of what her answer is (because, let's just be honest here, we all know she's really my girl ;) ) he always tickles her and gives her kisses.
The way he's taken on loving another man's son. How he treats him the same as our other three. How he engages him, shows him grace, and loves that he's called "Daddy" by a little boy soon to carry our last name.
And what better way for a man to show you love than to also love his children? It's a blessing to watch and be a part of.
He's picked me up off the floor after we lost our babies, brushed me off, and just let me be until I could re-gain my footing, all while simultaneously never leaving my side.
He's always seeking and pursuing me - even on the days when I'm resisting and pushing away. He loves me like Christ, forgiving and encouraging me. He cheers me on, truthfully when I just wish he'd let me fail, but because he loves me so much, he pushes me towards growth. And I have no doubt that his prayers are part of what has sustained me on some incredibly dark and difficult days. He's a praying man and ladies, there's nothing greater.
So, was this Valentine's Day romantic by society's standards? Probably not.
But by my standards? You betcha. Because I'm thankful today and every day for a husband who pursues me and seeks my heart.
As I sent him off to work, he hugged me and whispered the sweetest words. Then I stood in the doorway waving goodbye to him, thankful for a husband willing to sacrifice so much for me.
So ladies, if you have a husband who loves you, seeks and pursues you as Christ does, who prays for you and cheers you on - you're blessed. You don't need everything that society says you do. All you need is what's right in front of you. Him.
And I'm so very thankful I have him.
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