So, we all survived another Valentine’s Day. What is it about this holiday that creates such high expectation and anxiety? Husbands and boyfriends are frantically scrambling around trying to find the card, the flowers, the candy, and the gift that will appease and wives and girlfriends are stewing all day working ourselves into a frenzy thinking “So help me if he forgot, there will be HECK FIRE to pay!”
It really is kind of ridiculous when you think about it–so much pressure to show each other love on one specific day. As I was thinking about it on this particular Valentine’s Day I realized that–as much as I love all the candy and stuff Super Rockstar gives me (and, trust me, I don’t want to do or say ANYTHING to discourage this), what makes me love him the most and feel loved by him are the little every day things. When he:
- Notices that I’m tired and weary and does some of the household chores for me–without me saying a word.
- Immerses himself in playing with our boys. This is such a joy for me to watch and a HUGE showing of love to them.
- Looks at me across the room and says “You’re so beautiful” (even though I’m wearing the exact same jammies I’ve been in for days, have not even brushed my hair and look like a complete fright)
- Does things I KNOW he doesn’t feel like doing after a long, sometimes defeating day at work (like patiently help our boys find some missing toy piece that if not found immediately–their life will be ruined )
- Takes time to listen to me prattle on about the nonsense and mundaneness of stay at home Momma life (it’s quite the gift to feign interest in my drama with the cable guy or my big coupon score at King Soopers)
- Invites me to have lunch with him once a week and then says “Thank you for my date”.
- Cuddles with me in the evening. Our days always end the same–after putting the boys to bed, we settle down in our big comfy chair and watch our favorite shows or movies –just sitting close and relaxing.
These are just some of the things he does every day that are “valentine’s” to me.
Maybe the big gestures are important to some, but for me it will always be the little things. Now, if you want to just call Valentine’s Day, Give Candy Day instead–well, I don’t know of anyone that would get anxious over that.