A Valentine’s Farewell
February 1 2022
On Valentine's Day, I always gave my mother and mother-in-law flowers. I would take my mom’s flowers to the school crossing where she worked, and she was always so happy to see me coming. I was just as excited to deliver them.
My wife was not one that loved flowers. So, I usually took her out to dinner at a nice restaurant and gave her a card that I spent quality time selecting. I wanted to make sure it expressed my deep love for her as my wife and best friend.
In February 2021, I was up late one night studying God’s word when I was inspired to create my own Valentine card for her. Here is what I wrote:
Salemma,
Instead of buying you a card this year as I usually do, I decided to write something in my own words that was original and heartfelt. God has been good to me, to you and to us. As we reflect on His goodness and His grace, praise abounds in our hearts and our lips utter our thanksgiving.
This is our 41st Valentine together as husband and wife. I can’t remember a year where we didn’t recognize this day as special. We have always expressed our love to each other not only on this day, but on many days during the course of our time together. I am grateful that after all of this time, you still love me and we are still in love.
It hasn’t always been easy, but the good days far outweigh the bad ones. You have been a great wife. You have always shown full support of everything I have done. Even in the things you did not completely understand. If I wanted to do it, you were never an obstacle. You even made things work when they weren’t supposed to. Just to know you were standing by my side made me feel stronger and the tough road ahead manageable.
God could not have given me a better spouse. He gave me just what I needed. I am so grateful.
As we near the end of our lives, I pray that our latter days will be filled with joy and peace. I also pray that the remainder of our Valentines be filled with love and thoughtfulness.
Thanks for being my wife and for loving me the way you do.
Happy Valentines and Love Forever!!!
When I wrote this letter to her, I had no idea it would be the last Valentine we would celebrate together. I just wanted her to know how much I loved and appreciated her.
My wife always discarded every card I gave to her within five days. After she passed and I was going through her things, I found this letter in an envelope entitled “Valentines Letter-2/14/21”. I was shocked! I knew it was special because she told me how much it meant to her, but she never told me she saved it. Needless to say, I was touched.
Every day we have the opportunity to tell those we love how much we love them and how much they mean to us. We should take advantage of it. We never know when it might be the last time. If we operate with that mindset, we can never go wrong.
Take this moment right now and go tell someone dear to you how much you love them. It will make their day and yours too!