Update 2/14/26: Making the Most of Valentines Day

John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” 

Love comes in different forms: love between a husband and wife, love between parents and kids, love between friends, love of food, etc. The Bible describes love in a few different ways. Hesed is used to describe covenant loyalty, eros to describe romantic love, philia to describe friendship, and agape to describe God’s great love for us. 

Wayne and I never celebrated Valentine’s Day because we felt like it was a forced holiday. Wayne said love should be celebrated every day, not just one day a year. 

Even though we didn’t celebrate this holiday, it was another first to get through without him by my side. Know that I’m cheering all of you on in your marriages. Keep running to and loving each other. Let go of the little things before they become big in your mind. Love is precious and life is too short to worry about the socks not placed in a laundry basket. 

Today, to help start a new tradition, I invited some ladies over who share the same status as me…widow. We are still loved…not just by our family and friends, but by God, who is the best husband! 

Isaiah 54 “For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth.”

We were able to enjoy each other’s company, laugh, cry, and just be with others who understand. Nothing like chocolate and cupcakes to make everything feel better too.

I hope to arrange a monthly, or at least quarterly, get together with these ladies, and any others that would like to join us. I’m thinking we go see I Can Only Imagine 2 (and bring lots of tissues) for our next gathering. I’m just thankful for those who have done this ahead of me and who can give encouragement and guidance through these first few hard days, weeks, and months.

Something that became clear tonight and from talking to other widows-maybe someone needs to hear this: don’t assume someone should be over their grief after a few months or even years. Grief doesn’t go away, it just changes. We have lost our person and part of who we are…that doesn’t just change over night. Also, don’t ask when they are going to stop wearing their wedding ring or if they are going to get married again. Some feel like they had their one true love and don’t want to go through all of that again. Just give space and show up with love, hugs, and support. ❤️