Some unmarried people dread Valentine's day. It's never been a big deal to me, one way or another. I've always felt very loved, so one special day to celebrate that wasn't make or break for me.
This year, however, I think I had the best Valentine's day I've ever had.
I got a beautiful, hand-made card from a third grader, thanking me for "showing her reading." Inside she had taped a coupon for free apple slices at McDonalds. I thanked her and made over the coupon. She shyly told me that someone had given her mom some. "I had six," she said, "and I gave one to you." Wow. Pearl necklace? No, thank you. I'm as pleased as could be with my apple slices and the kind words of a sweet girl.
I went to a dinner with a lot of people I didn't know, and I was kind of dreading that. But it was lovely. A man shared about how the love of Jesus changed his life, and asked that we all share our love stories as we shared our meal. I was at a table with 6 strangers and I was moved to tears several times as they shared what God is doing in their lives and how they know his love for them.
I had a beautiful conversation with a beautiful girl about foster care, and about her experiences in foster care and about my thoughts about fostering. I talked parenting with the family on the other side who have 3 children, are fostering their 4 nieces (and are visibly pregnant with #8!). (And this wasn't a foster/adoption dinner. Just a dinner where I "happened" to be surrounded by people who were talking about what my heart is thirsty to hear.)
I headed out early, sure that my sweet baby would be soooo tired since it was past her bedtime. She hugged me tight and I revealed the chocolate-covered strawberry I'd snuck out for her in a napkin. She requested (as she had on our way in) that we dance (I'm not sure why dancing was on her mind!). So we ducked into the coat hallway and did some happy dancing in the dim quiet, exchanging "look what we're doing" grins and sticky, chocolate-y hugs. "I wanna go to MY home, Mama." she said, grinning at me with that little chin up-turned.
No, I'm not married at 32, and no (exasperated sigh), I have absolutely no use for pretty underwear, but the happiness that I have sinks in deep.
My heart is full. I'm so thankful for this life He's given me.
This year, however, I think I had the best Valentine's day I've ever had.
I got a beautiful, hand-made card from a third grader, thanking me for "showing her reading." Inside she had taped a coupon for free apple slices at McDonalds. I thanked her and made over the coupon. She shyly told me that someone had given her mom some. "I had six," she said, "and I gave one to you." Wow. Pearl necklace? No, thank you. I'm as pleased as could be with my apple slices and the kind words of a sweet girl.
I went to a dinner with a lot of people I didn't know, and I was kind of dreading that. But it was lovely. A man shared about how the love of Jesus changed his life, and asked that we all share our love stories as we shared our meal. I was at a table with 6 strangers and I was moved to tears several times as they shared what God is doing in their lives and how they know his love for them.
I had a beautiful conversation with a beautiful girl about foster care, and about her experiences in foster care and about my thoughts about fostering. I talked parenting with the family on the other side who have 3 children, are fostering their 4 nieces (and are visibly pregnant with #8!). (And this wasn't a foster/adoption dinner. Just a dinner where I "happened" to be surrounded by people who were talking about what my heart is thirsty to hear.)
I headed out early, sure that my sweet baby would be soooo tired since it was past her bedtime. She hugged me tight and I revealed the chocolate-covered strawberry I'd snuck out for her in a napkin. She requested (as she had on our way in) that we dance (I'm not sure why dancing was on her mind!). So we ducked into the coat hallway and did some happy dancing in the dim quiet, exchanging "look what we're doing" grins and sticky, chocolate-y hugs. "I wanna go to MY home, Mama." she said, grinning at me with that little chin up-turned.
No, I'm not married at 32, and no (exasperated sigh), I have absolutely no use for pretty underwear, but the happiness that I have sinks in deep.
My heart is full. I'm so thankful for this life He's given me.
Apple slices! I love it! Happy Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteThat is so lovely! I was just thinking about you this morning. Glad to see a new post and thankful for your happy heart! Love you and your girl!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! Thank you! What a treasure of a perspective! Thanks for blessing me.
ReplyDelete