Valentine’s Day has always been a funny holiday for me. It’s always really close to my brother’s birthday, as he used to say, “My birfday is near Balentine’s Day.” A couple years I sang in a quartet delivering singing valentines with chocolate. One year I received two dozen roses from a guy too high to remember to put his name on the card. One year I woke up to a bouquet and chocolate in my room. One year I dressed in all black and pretended to argue with a friend about dumb things in public to make people feel uncomfortable.
But one thing has always stayed the same every Valentine’s Day–I always get a sweet card from my mother telling me how much she loves me and that I’m part of her heart. I guess that all changes this time round with me in Nepal and her in China! You know, life is funny that way. One day you look up on Valentine’s day and realize that your brother, who used to have a speech impediment, is boldly witnessing on his college campus. The pothead who gave me flowers is in Africa preaching the gospel and raising up churches. The bouquets have withered and died with my past relationships that I thought would be so much more by now. The goofy things I did with friends will always hold a tender place in my heart. My parents are in China visiting their “other daughter,” and I’m in Nepal loving on orphans and widows.
So Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. Make it worthwhile. Show someone your heart; I bet you’ll get a piece of theirs in return. Who could use some of your love today?
