Valentine's Day

Let me begin by telling you the shocking truth... my wife & I don't celebrate Valentine's Day! When we were dating, Karen told me that she didn't see the point in celebrating it (something about a "made-up Hallmark holiday" if I remember correctly). Her birthday is just a couple of weeks after V-Day, so we have always rolled all of the February celebrations into one night out right around her birthday.

So whether you celebrate V-Day or not, here are some thoughts for all of us...

1. Couples - Celebrate your love for each other every day not just one day a year. Nothing irritates me more than when couples try to make up for a year of lackluster expressions of love by going gang-busters in one day. I guarantee you that your spouse would rather hear that you love him/her every day rather than just one day a year.
   
   
2. Husbands - Speak your wife's love language today not yours. Guys...let's be honest. We often go all out on V-Day because we think we will get something in return (and you know what I'm talking about). Make it all about her. Speak her love language not yours. For some of you, this may mean a gift and a night out at a great restaurant. For others, this may mean a day of doing neglected projects around the house. For others, it may be a night spent at home with the family. And for a lucky few, you and your wife speak the same love language and sparks are gonna fly! Don't be selfish on V-Day (or any day). Let your wife know how much you love her by saying it in words and ways that resonate with her...not with you!
   
   
3. Wives - Respect your husbands. Ladies...the greatest thing that your husband needs is not your love. The greatest thing he needs is your respect. One of the biggest reasons men spend so much time at work and hanging with their buddies is because they get more respect in those settings than they do at home. If you let your husband know you respect him, you will be amazed at the amount of love he will show you. Even if you think he isn't worth respecting, show him respect and see if he doesn't end up becoming somebody you do respect and someone who shows you a lot of love. It's called the "love/respect cycle" of marriage. Read Ephesians 5:33...
   

Have a great Valentine's Day no matter what you're doing. Karen & I will be spending a quiet evening home with the kids having a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphys!