Valentines Day is this coming Wednesday. This is one of those holidays that has been around longer than I have. I know it is based in fact about a Mr. Valentine who did something with... snakes? Or was it a dragon..No that was St. George..rats maybe?? Any way I’m sure the actuall story is not even close to what we celebrate today as is true of most of our modern holidays. I have fond memories of school Valentines parties over the years. I gave and received Valentines of course attaching way to much importance to who gave me what and I agonized over which to give whom as any normal girl would. In my "tween" years I had developed the "Cinderella syndrome" and was waiting for my Knight in Shinning armor to come and rescue me from my difficult life. As I grew older and my logical left- brained self formed I realized that most knights were just MEN in tin cans. I admit that I did hold a bit of the knight myth deep inside but my logical brain always won out. In my adult married years Valentines day was a time for school parties for the children, sending cards to friends and family and finding a suitable gift for my resident knight. In the first years of our marriage my logical brain realized that a mere man would not be able to provide everything the standard myth required but the Cinderella deep inside had visions of said Shinning Knight producing all things Valentine while expounding his undying love. Silly yes but I would wager most women reading this know EXACTLY what I am talking about. My resident knight brought home the "expected" gift, some sweet, some very memorable (i.e. the child’s plastic watch.) I would have something for him plus a "romantic" dinner prepared.All very normal,all very predictable. After his spiritual heart attack and my subsequent singleness, Valentines Day became a holiday that I sent cards to family and friends, sometimes girlfriends got together for lunch but not much else. Then one day I met a man and after knowing him for a time I could swear I saw a bit of shine under those country clothes. I would occasionally here trumpets in the distance and as I passed a mirror…Was that a veil flowing from that pointy hat???? Our first Valentines Day together he brought me two huge heart shaped Mylar balloons and I was surprised. Not because he gave me a gift but because I had forgotten it was Valentines day.. Now don’t’ misunderstand me this Knight was not flowery of tongue or overt in romance but he lived a quiet love and commitment everyday. Our wedding was small and plain with few in attendance but since that day Valentines Day has become such a non-issue for me. Some years we don’t even acknowledge it. I realized a few years ago that the Cinderella deep in me is not calling out anymore, that the logical left brained type A personality had fallen deeply gushingly in love with a true Knight in Shinning armor and the crest he wears on his armor is the crest of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords…..Oh by the way my Knight surprised me with a night out for Valentines Day this last Friday.. He came home with fresh Carnations, took me to a wonderful restaurant then off to the sport, boat and travel show.(I love fishing ,boating and the outdoors) After that.. a bit of shopping. What a treat! What a Dear Dear Sweet man!!!!
Comments
Thursday, February 15, 2007 - Knights
Posted by Mary Susan
Patti,
Sounds like we are both blessed with wonderful, Godly husbands.
Just read your previous post; prayers for a quick and full recovery!
Sunday, February 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Do you ever wonder what the holiday would be like if Valentine's name hadn't been Valentine. What if his name were Friehoffer? "Will you be my Friehoffer?"
or Schmidt. "I just bought the kids a box of Schmidts to hand out at Sunday School."
or Willberforce. "?"
Hoo boy!
Monday, February 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by pubwvj
Patti, we not only have made snow angles, we made snow forts, snow balls and snow jumps. The big jump is 120' long and 8' high. I snow plowed the south field at one end for snowboard jumping. Pix coming soon... We're definitely not all work and no play! :)
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by borderling
Your post brought tears to my eyes. God has blessed me in spite of my sins and I am now married to a knight. Why should I be so blessed? I certainly don't deserve it. I'm no Cinderella, but God blesses because He is God and He is Love. The ultimate Valentine.
From Glory Farm
Rhonda