Monday, February 13, 2012

Thoughts Upon a Valentine


Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. The day that people celebrate the love they share for each other by purchasing cards, flowers, chocolates, and waiting three hours to get a table for dinner. The day that some single people lovingly refer to as a “Hallmark Holiday”. There was a time when I was alone and bitter and felt that way about this holiday. Maybe I was alone because I was bitter.
I am blessed to have such a wonderful woman to share this holiday with. I am a better person today because she has been a part of my life, and I look forward to many great memories that we’ll share together in the year 2012. She is my valentine every day for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to marry her this summer.
Writing can be a very solitary craft. Even when you have the support of someone else, it can still feel that way when you only hear “I love it!” about everything you write. I do hear my share of positive feedback from her, but she also is not afraid to let me know when something isn’t quite right. If she can’t understand something, I usually wording things poorly or assumed that people would know certain tidbits of information. She keeps my words concise and my focus grounded. She is the best support system I could ask for.
She understands me in a way that no one else has. She might not understand why I get excited about the next installment in the Zelda series, or why I absolutely have to get a 4.0 GPA every semester, but she understands that these things are important to me. This weekend she gave me my valentine/birthday present: a Playstation 3 and Final Fantasy XIII-2. I didn’t even have to hint at a game; she knew the right one to get me.
She encourages me to get homework done even though I know she’d prefer to have me sitting by her side on the couch, watching Twilight for the hundredth time. She tells me to play my games on our only television and that she wants to watch me play, even though I know that it can’t be that interesting to watch another person playing a RPG. She encourages me to write and to submit things even when I feel like I can’t write or that my writing will never get published.
For the record, I’ve only seen rejection letters; however, I’ve only submitted a handful of things over the years. I’m sure I’d be published by now if I submitted more often.
She makes me feel special because she supports the little things that are important to me. I know she doesn’t really want to see Star Wars in 3D, especially after hearing that the 3D is nearly non-existent. But she still declared we are going to see it anyway.
These are a few of the reasons why I love her. The list could go on forever. She is probably the best care provider for children that I’ll ever meet. She will be an incredible mother, and I can’t wait to start our branch of a family together. She wants to make life better for everyone.
She has made my life better.
I’ve finally found who I am through her guidance. I’m not as overweight as I used to be. I don’t play video games for hours every day and spend my days off glued to the games. I have found faith in God for the first time because of her, and can see His blessings in my life that led me on the path to her and the blessings that have come since I’ve found her.
I could never fully express how much I love her. It would never be enough. She has changed my life and who I am, and given me more joy than I knew could be possible.  That is why I help with things around the house. That is why I randomly surprise her with flowers on days that do not fall on February 14. That is why I will remain devoted to her for eternity. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. For better or for worse.

But no matter what happens, things will always be better than they were before she came into my life.

Tell me about your valentine. What makes them special for you?
This post submitted to Yeah Write #44. Check out the great community of bloggers taking place in this weekly contest every Tuesday.


12 comments:

  1. Awww. I love how your reasons are all really normal every day things. I think that's what really makes a relationship last, not grand gestures or feelings. My Valentine is just the most decent person you'll meet. Real and genuine and wonderful. I should appreciate him more than I do but that's sleep deprivation for you! Good luck with your future together, sounds like it's going to be great. Xx

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  2. You two sound so well suited to each other! Congrats on your upcoming wedding! I wish you many years of every day being Valentine's day. I have a feeling you will always appreciate your partner.

    I love my Valentine because he loves all of me, warts included. :-)

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  3. David, this melts my heart. And it reminds me so much of my husband and I that I (or he) could have almost written it. When you find that person who is willing to watch you while you play video games, you've found THE person. I've been watching my husband play Skyrim for (what seems like) centuries, and I couldn't be happier about it. Because it makes HIM happy.

    Great post! I know where one of my 3 votes is going. :)

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  4. There is real magic in finding someone who 'gets' you. How beautiful that you two found each other :) Hope you two are celebrating a lovely day today!

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  5. Congrats on the upcoming wedding.

    I just did a post called "Imperfectly Perfect," and it's all about my relationship with my husband. It's similar to what you are saying. You don't have to have every single thing in common. It's about support and understanding. We have our fifteenth anniversary coming up in May, so something must be working out!

    Again, congrats, and I look forward to reading more!

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  6. What a beautiful love letter and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. And here is a little advice from someone who has been married 18 years. Pull this letter out once you have your first baby and remember all the ways she catered to you. It'll be your turn then. What a wonderful life I wish for the two of you. -Ellen

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  7. This is so sweet! She sounds like an amazing woman and you both sound blessed to have each other. Congrats on your upcoming wedding! And keep submitting; you WILL be published!

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  8. This was really sweet. Obviously, your girl is good for you. In a good way! Congrats on your upcoming WEDDING! YAY! (-:

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  9. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!

    All these reasons are wonderful and grounded and real, and will create the base for what will be a long and happy marriage. Keep those reasons close you your heart forever.

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  10. So lovely. Congrats on your upcoming wedding.

    And those that make us want to be better and so worth every lovely word and kind gesture. Keep these up long after you get married and have minis.

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