According to the Webster’s Dictionary, love is a strong feeling of affection and concern toward another
person arising out of personal ties. Each year, on Valentine’s Day, we take time to acknowledge and celebrate
those we love. In reality though, expressing our love and affection should not be limited to just one day a
year.

Valentine’s Day frustrated my husband because he felt “compelled” to do something special in
acknowledging his love for me. For weeks prior to that special day, advertisements run daily, if not hourly, for
roses, candy, jewelry, cards, and other special gifts for your love. Mark resisted the commercial aspect of
Valentine’s Day. He preferred to do special things throughout the year for me and not when the commercial
world “compelled” him to do so. But, being the gracious and thoughtful man that he was, he bowed to the
pressure and always had a sweet card and gift for me on Valentine’s Day.

As of 2010, due to his neurological condition, he could no longer drive, speak coherently, or write in order to
sign a card. But with great effort, he was still able to type a note on the computer and print it off. I keep one
of his last Valentine notes to me in a special place where I can read it often. It is dated 2014, four years before
he passed away. It reads:

It’s Valentines and we are supposed to say something nice to our sweetheart. The thing is, it’s easy to say something nice about
you. You do so much for me, from cleaning up after me to making sure I get to the gym (I would wheel him into the gym
and he would use a walker to do his weight machines. Even while battling MSA he remained disciplined).
From my office, I listen to you when you have your Secrets group at our house. You have natural leadership skills while at the
same time you have a very pleasing personality. It’s a killer combo. I am so blessed to be married to you. Thank you for
everything you do for me and everyone for that matter.
Happy Valentines
I love you very much
Me

Lest you think that I am sharing this note to brag on myself, I am not! I share it as an example of someone,
although not physically able to show his love, still desired to express his love in words. His love for me, and
mine for him, was on-going. Day in and day out, we chose to love one another. Did we ever argue or
disagree—Yes. Was the journey through eleven years of his disease challenging—Yes. Did I faithfully and
consistently show love toward Mark, consistently exercising patience and kindness—No, I did not, yet he
chose to love me in spite of my behavior or attitude in the midst of challenging days.
At times along our journey, people would say to me, “You are so sweet and patient with Mark.” I would
quickly tell them that I had had plenty of what I called “ugly days.” But here is the amazing thing, God still
loved me in the midst of my ugliness—and so did Mark. Now, that is the true definition of love!

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12