Heart-y Celebrations

On Valentine's Day, Ken and I take the opportunity to express our love to each other in more direct words and with more frequency than we probably do on an ordinary day. We exchange rather lovey-dovey cards, and sometimes I get roses from him. It sounds kind of sappy and superficial, but I like it, nonetheless. It's a fun way to celebrate the deeper current of our commitment that's there quiet and steady beneath the upper splash and froth.

We celebrate the love of family and friends, too. Over the years, I've tried to make a little bit bigger deal than usual out of one meal around Valentine's Day. It's a way to tell my loved ones that they're extra special and I value them. 

From table decorations...

                             Idea Credit: My daughters and nieces

...to red jello...

...to heart shapes in the breads and salads and veggies...

                        Idea Credit: My sister-in-law Sharon (Troy)

...to meatloaf in the heart-shaped pan...

...to chocolaty desserts...

...hopefully they get the idea!

This year, we discovered that a special Valentine's meal for just us3athome is pretty sweet, too!

 

Also this year, we were treated to a special meal (and I mean far-out, all-out amazing!) at our friends' house on Valentine's Day evening. To gather with this young couple and their girls and some of the wonderful ladies from Oasis was a great way to share the love of church family. We had a splendid time eating, visiting, laughing, singing, and playing a game (Codenames). At the end of our visit, we were invited to tour and hang out in the Gingerich's custom-built igloo which is even outfitted with a light and a heater. Love-ly idea, but we chose instead to head home where, as they say, the heart is.

How did someone make your Valentine's Day special?

Ten Things I Liked About Last Weekend

Last weekend, Ken & I and Kerra went on a little trip to Guys Mills, Pennsylvania. We were privileged to have our first overnight visit in Kayleen and Carlin's home. We arrived there on Friday evening and returned home on Sunday evening. What a great weekend! Following are some things I especially enjoyed about it. 

1. Seeing Kayleen's creative touch in their home's decor:

2. Watching Kayleen and Carlin work together in the kitchen, using their beautiful shiny and new wedding gift dishes and appliances:

3. Eating Kayleen and Carlin's delicious food - smoothie bowls for Saturday brunch, homemade burgers for Saturday supper, and Thai chicken soup and naan for Sunday lunch:

4. Hiking on the mile-long roadway that forms the top of Woodcock Dam:

5. Seeing Carlin's excitement over techie gadgets, such as a vintage Polaroid camera. (It is a very amazing thing that the Kenites now have an IT guy/computer doc in their midst!) 

6. Sharing memories with our children - while listening to a recording of the songs sung at Carleen's wedding, during a run-through of the wedding service and reception pics, when eating fruits and veggies canned by Kayleen and Yours Truly last summer, or when seeing the girls wear souvenirs purchased on our Newfoundland Trip:

7. Making brownies in a mug in the microwave, putting a dollop of peanut butter to melt on top of the hot cakey goodness, placing a scoop of vanilla ice cream to dissolve into creamy deliciousness over the brownie and pb, and then going to the couch in the living room to sit and eat the cup of sweetness among good family company:

8. Watching Ken and Kerra build a snowman in Carlin & Kayleen's front yard while waiting on everyone to be ready for a Sunday afternoon walk:

9. A lovely walk in the snowy countryside in general, and specifically at the Erie Wildlife Refuge: 

                            Photo Credit: Kayleen Atkinson

10. Embracing the stage our family is in right now - Ken and I as the parental couple observing our young adult children doing life, delighting in being with them, hashing life's puzzles with them, sharing laughter and tears, deepening relationships, growing in character, offering love and receiving hope: