My Funny Valentine

I figured with Valentine's Day around the corner, I would dedicate this post to my own Valentine. Please note: We don't really do anything to celebrate February 14. It's just another day on the calendar really. That doesn't mean we're not romantic people. It just means we don't need a day on the calendar to tell us to treat each other special. We do things for each other all the time. However, February 14 does hold a special significance for us.

All because 2 people fell in love

February 14, 1992, Drew and I were on our way to St. Francis for Jester's (the drama group made up of young people with special needs that we helped with). We stopped at a gas station on our way across town. Drew pumped the gas, went in to pay and came out with a beautiful red rose. It was that night that he asked me to marry him. Yes, 23 years ago Saturday, we were spending the evening with a whole bunch of amazing kids! No, wait...that's not the significant part. The significant part is that Drew asked me to marry him that night! My life was forever changed.

A couple summers...and pounds ago

While we've had our share of ups and downs over the past 23 years, I couldn't imagine anyone else I'd rather spend this life with. We have shared many laughs, tears, and frustrations. We've taken care of each other through sicknesses, supported each other through schooling and job changes. We've been on a weight loss journey together. We've raised 2 kids together and now we're enjoying being grandparents together. We share household chores, we pray together, we help each other, we encourage each other and -most importantly- we love each other.

Recreating our first kiss

New Year's Day 2015

So, I say, "Happy Valentine's Day to the most amazing man in the world. 23 years ago this weekend, I said, 'Yes!'. If you asked me again today, the answer would be exactly the same. Thanks for loving me, accepting me, valuing me, respecting me, helping me, encouraging me, forgiving me, being patient with me, making me laugh, making me smile, making me believe in myself again. Thank you for choosing to always and forever be                       my valentine!