Abundant Valentines

Every Valentine’s day, I tell myself I don’t care if I get chocolates or roses or an abundance of gifts.

Because I’m not a romantic, I tell myself.

But…you know what I’m going to say…every year, I see all of the Facebook statuses and Instagram pictures of everyone else’s Valentine’s days, and I feel like I’m missing out. On things I wouldn’t really enjoy anyway because, despite my flighty emotional personality, I also have a sense of practicality.

(For the record, I cannot have most of these things. Especially the flowers. Not even fake paper ones. We have one cat who loves to eat flowers. The other cat likes to eat paper.)

I promise this year is going to be different. Because, this year, I just feel immensely grateful for a life filled with an abundance of love.

For a husband who told me last night before bed that he misses me when I’m here-but-not-here, working into the dark hours of the night instead of spending time with him.

For coming home to a house, that I left insanely dirty before taking off for five days for a trip, completely cleaned by the best roommate in the world.

For being able to spend so much time with my favorite person…because we also “work” together, our days are filled with laughter and helping each other through the struggles that we face in the mundane moments of life.

I would not trade, for all of the chocolate and roses and romantic vacations, building a life together with a person who supports my vision as much as I support his. I wouldn’t trade the frustration with the thorn of the moment for being his shoulder to lean on and finding ways together to make the best of tough situations. I wouldn’t even trade a candle light dinner for a single hug. Or one of his jokes.

And even though he hates having his picture taken in exact proportion to the amount I love taking pictures, he will humor me…and then call the privilege of taking his picture my Valentine’s day gift.

But really, it is the best gift he could possibly give me.

(And, Mom, if you’re reading this, I also have an abundance of Valentine’s Day socks. Like,  I’ve finally accumulated more heart-covered socks than normal socks. I got the message. I promise I’ll stop stealing your socks when I come home.)