Clarity

I think it took finding Mike for me to have clarity on a lot of things, one of them being Valentines Day.  It was so easy, as a single gal, to get swept up in the pity party that Valentines Day becomes - how many 'valentinis' can you drink in college before you get sloppy and sad and wallow in pity that you aren't madly in love with someone. (As I write this, I got a text from one of my favorite college friends who reminded me that 7 years ago on this day, we drank so much pink Franzia that she threw up everywhere, but then later met up with her future-husband...good times.)

Now, experiencing Valentines Day as a wife (I hesitate to even write that word because I think it makes me sound braggy and pretentious), I'm finally able to gain this clarity that this day isn't just about celebrating romantic love - its about celebrating relationships and people.  I wish I could have gained this clear brain on my own, but add it to the list of ways that Mike makes be a better person.  Yes, it will be sweet to cook a delish dinner tonight, but its also so heart-warming to talk to my dear nieces this morning and hear them try to pronounce 'valentines', or to see the cute cookies that my aunt makes for her staff, or to read a very inspiring blog post about finding love in unexpected places, or to feel a little extra lovey today just because (maybe its the snow that's rolling in over the mountains and the fact that I brought TWO mugs of coffee to work today?!?)

Either way, by 9am this morning I had already brought myself to almost-tears as I pictured dancing cheek-to-cheek in my living room with my baby boy in a few months.  I can't wait to feel my heart transform as I take on this new role of being a mom.  I can't wait to raise him to be so aware of the love that created him and to never hesitate to express his heart to the people around him - on Valentines Day, on Columbus Day, on Wednesdays, or any and every other day of the year!!  A lesson I should have learned a long, long time ago =)