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?