{joy} Valentines Day

I am a self proclaimed hopeful romantic. However, Valentines Day is not one of my favorite holidays. I personally cannot enjoy anything when I feel like my husband is obligated or guilted into doing something. I like to think of myself as a very low maintenance wife, so my husband should consider himself very lucky (I can't say he would always see it that way though!) :) I don't like the thought of him doing something sweet and romantic for me JUST because it is Valentines Day. I much prefer those random acts of sweetness on any other random day of any other random month. It means more to me that way, like he thinks of me because he loves me not because the entire American culture is telling him to. To be fair, I do like the fact that Valentines Day causes many men to think outside of their comfort zone of romanticism and actually make some effort to please their wife. I am grateful for anything that can increase romance in a marriage. I just am not a fan of the "expectations" that come along with this holiday. All of that being said, use this day as a good excuse to do something extra, but do not let this count as a good deed you can check off your list of things to do for your spouse. This should be extra, a bonus love notion, a special something out of the norm, but should not replace any of the normal things you do to love your spouse. Because men, loving your wife consistently is the best gift you can ever give her. It doesn't always mean buying gifts, and flowers, and diamonds, and romantic getaways (while those are all nice, and my husband did buy me flowers a few days ago that made me smile big time!). Women love to feel loved. And trust me, when SHE is loved, YOU will be too ;)

Happy Valentines Day! (celebrate tomorrow too, and the next day, and the next....)