Happy Valentines! Usually at our house, we don't make a big deal out of valentines, not much hooplah or pizzaz. Today on the other hand was extraordinary!
I dont know, as I describe it, if you all will feel the same way, but really its not about how you feel about it. It made me happy!
Let me start with a bit more background. So a few weeks ago, my Mom and sisters and I decided to make valentines dinner for our hubbies. We'd been getting together, discussing and decorating for Valentines since the end of January. We got the menu all agreed upon and found great deals on yummy goodness to share with our beloveds. We planned to meet the morning of Valentines to do prep work and gather ingredients, so that the evening of Valentines all we'd need to do was cook it up and enjoy. Really, Mom got it all together and then sent us home to make it; thank you- you truly are the most wonderful mother!
Then this past Monday, Chad told me that (though he'd planned it to be a surprise) he had taken the day off for Valentines! The surprise part kinda fell through when all the things he wanted to schedule with me didn't pan out, and then I was making plans of my own not knowing he'd be home to spend time with. So with this new knowledge we adjusted plans with my Mom, I would get all our dinner fixings the night before and then I could spend the day with Chad.
Also on Monday, as Chad was looking at the weeks weather, and seeing the large amounts of snow forcasted, he voiced a wish to go skiing. Now, I'm not much of a skier. It's probably been 10 years, judging by the dust on my skis, since I've touched a slope, but I thought, "hey what a good idea, I'd much rather go do something fun together-
that I know he'll enjoy, then try and think up a romantic something."
So we planned out our Valentines Day. And it was fabulous!
Last night the prep work got all done, including some cleaning around the house, so we didn't have much to hassle us today. We got the kids in order and packed all our ski gear up. Chad's parents were so wonderful and willing to watch the kids for the afternoon, while we hit the slopes. We spent a few hours at their home before skiing. It's always so nice to visit them and Chad and I just enjoyed hanging out and relaxing a bit. Then off to the resort!
We had a beautiful drive up the canyon, just a bit of rain near the top. Then we parked and got all our gear on. We went and got our tickets and then as we tried to put on our skis, I found that my bindings had been moved like 3 inches back too far! Nothing like having a man who's quick to fix-it, Chad found a screw driver and what, for a second seemed to me a deal breaker, became a good joke from our skiing experience.
Now I have to admit that I was fairly comfortable in my skis... it was my boots that were an issue. I probably complained a time or two about how tight they were, but I survived. I took a few tumbles but Chad gave me good advice and after fixing my form I could manage a lot easier. We took 3 runs down the slopes and they were so fun! I loved the exhilaration of the speed, the biting wind and snow, the chance to regroup and relax on the chair lifts, being somewhere having fun with my love!
We didn't ski side by side or have a constant conversation going on, but we knew the whole time that we were each having a great time! I felt such a joy in knowing that Chad was doing something he enjoyed and I got to be there watching him and participating with him! I had so much fun, I did have my issues but overall it was such a positive, marriage strengthening time that I cant begrudge the troubles.
Dinner was so fun too! Chad helped me cook it up and though we made messes and... some smoke : )
it was so yummy and so enjoyable! The desserts my Mom made, are still making my mouth water!
Goodness, I just feel so contented and happy with this day! With our life!
and you know what I think made the difference for me this year, more than ever before? I wanted today to be about Chad and our marriage. Not about me, or how he shows his love for me, I wanted him to feel the love! And you know what, I felt it too!
Just as our leaders and prophets tell us, love is selfless,
and when it is sefless, its true! I'm learning a bit about that truth. I have a lot more to learn but today was a fabulous example for me of how I can change my perspective and attitude about love, and how doing so blesses me.
I hope you all felt loved today!
i made these chocolate strawberry hearts for Chad
us on the slopes!
Happy Valentine's Day!
