Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope you are enjoying your loved ones today!

I know I probably heard the story of who St. Valentine was some time ago, but couldn't tell you who he was now. I looked up the story on-line, but there were quite a few versions! Wikipedia says that there were two original St. Valentines and both were Christian martyrs - killed for believing in Jesus.

Apparently, one of them was persecuted as a Christian and the Roman Emporor Claudius II interrogated him personally and was really impressed with him, having an intriguing discussion. The Emperor tried to convince Valentine to denounce his faith and save his life, claiming Roman paganism as his new belief system. Of course, Valentine would not convert and therefore was executed, but not before healing the blind daughter of his jailer.

There is an ending to the story that seems a little commercialized and prepackaged to me (and may be, since the information was traced to American Greetings) but apparently Valentine may have been in love with the jailer's daughter and penned the first Valentine card, signing it "Your Valentine" on the night of his death. (My note: Apparently, this was the first card she could read?...Because she just received her sight?)

 It IS a great love story though - even if you don't keep the ending between the Saint and the jailer's daughter - a love story between this man and God. He refused to turn his back on God, even unto death...because Christ didn't turn HIS back on HIM, even unto death.
I know how he feels.
I would hope I'd do the same.
I love Jesus, too.
That's what love is all about. Loyalty...especially when we're not being watched.

I really appreciate my true friends that I know would stand up for me if somebody accused me wrongly.
And I'm grateful that I have friends who love me.
And there are so many friends I would do the same for...because we are loyal to each other.
I really appreciate my sisters and my brother who would fight for me, to the death.
And I have no doubt that they would.
And I would do the same.
Blood is thicker than water.
And my Mom,
The sweet woman who put up with me during my hard-to-raise years.
Always has good things to say about me, even though she could easily remember
When I was not so good...
I admire her for so easily forgetting.
I really appreciate my children, who know their Mama's character and would stand up for her.
And they know that nobody better do them wrong in their Mama's earshot.
Because Mama is a Mama Bear protecting her cubs.
And, mostly I know that my husband is my best friend.
It wasn't always as good as it is - and I know it will get better. But, man it's good now.
I feel so blessed to be his.
We make a great team.

I hope you have a world around you like that.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

****
I just got back from getting my Valentine's present.
He called me Thursday and told me not to make dinner Monday night.
That puzzled me, because I always make Valentine's dinner!
That's my gift to him!
I make a fancy dinner!
We NEVER go out on Valentine's Day - it's always WAY TOO CROWDED!
But, tonight we have reservations...somewhere...at 6:15.
I don't know if the reservations are here in our town
or in the Cities (St. Paul/Minneapolis)
So I don't know if we're leaving at 6pm or 5:30 or 5:15...
But, no matter...it's a sweet surprise...
Did I mention I LOVE SURPRISES!!!
But, I was stumped on what to surprise my Valentine with...
Until now.
He doesn't expect anything, but a card - since he stole the dinner idea.
(We generally don't go the gift route - we're pretty spoiled every day of the year!)
But this was too good to pass up!
See how pretty it looks?

The gift tag says "...Because I Love Us..." Want to know what I bought him "because I love us?"

Can't you tell what it is? Take a little look closer...

Bwahahahahahaha...okay, if I'm not a sentimental fool, then I'm a practical one! We're going to Yellowstone this summer, and last year when we were at Glacier, those people were mauled to death by that grizzly...the same day we happened upon this mama grizzly and her cubs at Glacier (no telephoto lens, mind you...):

Yeah...I know! So, because I love "us", I want "us" to be around for a while longer...thus the bear repellant! ;)

Ahhhh...true love is in the air!

You have to admit - it IS unique! An original gift, to be sure! I'll bet he's the only guy getting bear repellant for Valentine's Day. :)

Happy Valentine's Day...and may you get something more romantic than bear repellant!