
Well, Happy Valentine’s Day. Xander sent out some pretty cute cards this year with his “I stole Mommy’s heart shirt” pictures included. He gets cuter every day, and on a day that forces you to think about love, I just want to say I love my little cutie! I love my Big Cutie too, but poor Tarver is off doing the most romantic thing you can think of…….. yes…..wait for it…..
JURY DUTY! Ha! I think that is a pretty crappy place to spend Valentine’s Day, but to be honest, neither of us really wanted to celebrate it anyway. We are lucky enough to be one of those couples that surprise each other with cards, flowers, or something special on those random Tuesdays, when you least expect something. Somehow, it always means so much more when you don’t know it’s coming. I will share a sweet story though.
When Tarver had his leg amputated (he likes to refer to it as “having his leg chopped off”) I was a wreck during the surgery. Thankfully, Justin, Tarver’s brother, and our close friends Steve and Eddy were there to wait during the surgery with me. It was early in the morning, so we went to the cafeteria in the hospital, and when we sat down to breakfast, someone handed me a card from Tarver. Well, of course I started to cry as I read beautifully comforting words form the one person I wanted at that very moment. He was so reassuring and loving, and it was what I needed in that moment. Through that whole “leg ordeal” that was the one moment that might stick out to me in mind for the rest of my life. At the most difficult moment since Tarver’s accident, he was worried about how I was handling the surgery.
However, this is just one example of the selfless way in which my husband loves me. He also made sure all of the 5 days we were in the hospital, someone brought me a gift or flowers from him (funny thing is, he doesn’t really remember doing that the poor guy was so drugged up). I have never felt such love, in all my life. Every day, I get to wake up next to someone who loves me more than himself. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank my wonderful Creator, that He kept Tarver safe through his accident, all his prior surgery’s, and his crazy life before he met me. I certainly would not know the love I know now, had it not been for my lovely husband.
One of the reasons I love being married is that it’s such a wonderful picture of Christ’s love for His church. His people. The way marriage was intended to be, before it became a joke to some in our society. I feel like you can’t turn a channel on the TV today without seeing some show about the degradation of marriage. So sad. Back to what I was saying, Tarver and I strive to have a marriage that is God-honoring, treating each other with love and kindness. People always ask us, don’t you guys fight? You are with each other so much! Well, no, not really, is usually the reply. Fighting is seldom something we have to deal with, when we are mindfully trying to love each other every day, as Christ loves us.
So what is Xander loving today?

Why butternut squash, of course!
Happy Valentine’s Day To You! May you feel loved today.