“The guys have something planned for us tonight. They want us to be back by 5:00,” one of my team mates let me know on Valentine’s Day. I wonder what they have planned? Curiosity is eating at me, but I have to wait.
It’s 5:00. All thirty-one ladies are waiting downstairs as the guys finish up last second preparations. “Danielle and Ally come with me,” John said as he walked into the room to escort the ladies out. They escorted us to our designated seats at each table for a Valentine’s Dinner they had prepared on the lawn.
Lace table cloths decorate each table top while flower arrangements cascade out of vases in the center of each table. Noticing that the silverware had already been set on each place setting, my eyes move to the center paper under the silverware. A single piece of construction paper lie underneath with my name inscribed in the center. Each lady receives such a paper with a unique encouraging message from one of the guys on our squad. Paris, Mike Ward, Ryan, and John escort the last ladies to their seats.
It’s time for the first course. Mike Fiene and Sean had been slaving away in the kitchen for a few hours preparing this elaborate dinner for all of us. Salad and delicious garlic bread are delivered to each individual seat at the same time as a red juice made from a local Ecuadorian fruit. Next, they bring the main course, the pasta. It is the closest thing I have had to chicken fettuccini alfredo since I left the states! My favorite dish…It was amazing. “How did you know this was my favorite meal?!” I asked Mike. “Jesus told us,” he responded jokingly.
As we eat, Paris, Ryan, and Mike Ward sing us a song they wrote for the night. Paris sings a beautifully romantic song from the Lord and Mike follows with a unique rap that definitely has that Mike Ward flare. They then bring us our last course for the night which is dessert! We have the option of four different flavors of ice cream. “I’ll take the chocolate with oreo of course!” I let them know quickly knowing my love for chocolate has only grown as I have been on the World Race. We are definitely being spoiled right now…
Immediately following dinner, the guys line up four chairs and four wash bins in front of them. They stand with towels hanging on their arms as Paris explains Jesus washing the feet of the disciples and how they want to serve us this night by following in His example.”
As I sit down in the chair and I begin to put my feet in the water, I realize that I don’t think I have ever actually had my feet washed. Mike starts washing my feet one at a time. I realize this night is not about having a date or being in a relationship. It’s not about getting the biggest gift or being the most romantic. It’s about what Christ has already done for us. It’s about Jesus pursuing each of us ladies individually and loving us uniquely through His six sons here tonight.
Some laughed. Some cried. This is a Valentine’s Day I will never forget.
