Valentine's Day

Okay, this is going to sound strange coming from a romance writer, but I don't particularily like Valentine's Day. For me, it's way too much of a Hallmark Holiday. Don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful to show the people we love how much we care about them. And it's nice to know that people love us in return. But having a date set designated to do this seems very commercial to me. A way for card stores, and florists, and restaurants to make some money.

I know, I know. There is a history behind Valentine's Day. But ask your average person on the street, and they'll have no idea. Most simply know it as the time when the stores dec out in red, put hearts everywhere, and entice shoppers to buy things to show their love for that special someone.

I guess for me, telling my husband I love him isn't reserved for one day a year, and vice versa. My husband tells me everyday (several times a day, in fact) that he loves me. And I do the same. We love spending time together. We love being together, no matter what we're doing. Expressing our feelings doesn't depend on the calendar date. I guess you could say that everyday is our Valentine's Day.

But yesterday, we celebrated Valentine's Day in a very special way. We renewed our wedding vows.

Since Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday this year, our church designated its evening service last night as a marriage vow renewal celebration. It was one of the most amazing things we've ever done.

The entire service had a wedding theme about it, from pre-service music from Jesu to Canon in D, to the words of meaning ("We are gathered here today...") to the lighting of the unity candle to the presentation of the couples, I felt like I was at a wedding.

My wedding.

It was very romantic.

We, along with about 50 other couples, got to process in to Trumpet Voluntary in D Major, speak our vows again, and recess out to Hornpipe.

I had tears in my eyes as I once again vowed to love my husband until death us do part. And I wasn't the only one. He was teary, too. In fact, there weren't many dry eyes in the church.

It wasn't the date on the calendar that mattered. It didn't matter that some of the couples wore jeans. It didn't matter that each couple received a carnation on the way out, or that we drank punch at a reception in the narthex afterwards. It was the recommitting of so many hearts to one another and to God that made this so very meaningful.

And that's what love is all about. Don't you think?

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra

www.debrastjohnromance.com