Valentine's Day - 2014

Generally, I'm not one to give a rip about 2/14.

Well, actually, it's always been my favorite holiday. But that's beside the point.

This year, though, I just so happened to not be single, and I was able to enjoy the Day of Love with my wonderful fiancè!

Oh, did I not mention that I'm engaged?
Yep.



That rock has been on my finger for a month and two days so far. I even notice when it's not there now, which is pretty awesome.
Not that you can tell from that beautiful phone picture, but there are 37 diamonds on my ring. Yeah. He done good.

This was my first Valentine's Day in a relationship, an engaged relationship as a matter of fact, and it seems to me like what you envision is never quite what happens in reality. I think our culture and Hollywood seem to make Valentine's Day a fantastical daydream that's surrounded with hearts, teddy bears and chocolates.
Granted, the chocolates are nice. I was thoroughly pleased that Tad got me chocolate. I'm totally fine with chocolate.
I'll admit that I over-romanticized our little date last night. For as logical and un-emotive (I do NOT prefer emotionally-challenged) a person as I am, I'm still a girl. An eighteen-year-old, slight romantic, who does, on rare occasion, fantasize about flowers and poetry. My man, being the busy one that he is, can't always deliver what I desire (Though, for his sake, I'll say he is one heck of a romantic and can write me love letters like nobody's business.). Sometimes I get my hopes up and expect a ravishing candlelit dinner with roses galore and a five-page poem entitled, "101 Reasons Why I'm In Love With Emily".
As lovely as those out-of-the-ordinary displays of affection are, I think know I take for granted that constant, deep, dare I say, supernatural love that we have for one another. I don't need to make Tad a steak and shrimp dinner, a kiwi and raspberry fruit tart (more to be said on that), and massage his aching feet for him to know that I love him. And he doesn't have to write me daily love letters and put aside hours every day to spend time with me in order for me to know that he loves me - though admittedly, I can make it feel that way sometimes.
No, Tad and I have been blessed with something deeper than silly little infatuated affections. We've been given a deep love for one another. Our commitment to one another stems from our commitment to Christ. We've devoted ourselves to our Creator, to serve and glorify Him, and now, we've chosen to reflect that devotion through marriage. We can spend whatever leftover hours of the evening we have, cooking up a hodge-podge meal that doesn't get done till 9:30, and then just snuggle and relax on the couch while watching "Silent Hill" (NOT my idea) and "Resident Evil". Our love is not dependent on that temporary romantic feeling we had back in May. Our love is dependent on our commitment to one another and the strength our Lord and Savior gives us to serve and love each another in every moment. It is by God's grace we take on the responsibility of caring for another Soul, and it is by God's grace that we are privileged to see them through to the end.


"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Waiting

Today is one of those days when I feel intense boredom coming on.

   Currently, I am in Virginia, 7 1/2 hours away from my cozy home in northeastern Pennsylvania, and I'm starting to lose my sanity. I've been here for over a week now. I managed the first week, but I have a feeling this next week won't be as easy. See, I don't handle being away from home very well as it is (I hate that weird, something's-off feeling you get when you're out of your environment), but two weeks away from my boyfriend (which, yeah, doesn't seem that bad, I know) is making my a little anxious to get home. Even though he's not even home right now. He's in Illinois enjoying the last day of his hunting trip with his dad.

*Cue intense, dramatic, depressing music*

   So this is my sob story. Spoiled little Emily who gets to see her boyfriend almost every day has been thrust into work in the not-Pennsylvania state of Virginia, where she must bear two weeks without the love of her life.

*Le sigh*

   I've realized God likes to put a lot of almost unbearable periods of waiting in my life. I'm pretty sure it's because I hate waiting so much. I hate knowing what I want and knowing I can have it, just... not yet. It makes me terribly anxious (and according to my sister, a little cranky), and I don't like having to put up with it.

   I have to remind myself that God never does anything that isn't for out benefit in the end - He works all things together for good for those who love Him. Right now, I'm seeing no good in this. But God is always working something out. Right now, it's my responsibility to lean on Him to satisfy me and comfort every ache and longing in my heart. I want my sweet man in my arms right now so I can smother him to death with affection, but I just have to wait. And instead of moping around, I need to distract my mind and use my time to glorify God and enjoy this last week He's given me here with my family - even if I would much rather be cuddling with someone other than my two little cousins.

   God is enough. God is sufficient. And He doesn't just relieve the longings I have for other things - He gives and satisfies a different longing for Himself. And I never have to wait to enjoy time with Him. This is a season of waiting and expectation. Advent is upon us and we're focusing on the arrival of Jesus Christ into this world. Let us rejoice that He HAS come, we are free, and now, we have the joyous expectation of His second coming, which will end our waiting forever. Live in light of eternity. Be anxious for nothing. Live today as your last.

And bake some cookies, because it's that time of year, and there's nothing better than a glass of cold milk and a few [dozen] cookies for breakfast.