Today I have what my Nanny would have eloquently referred to as the 'creeping cruds,' which would have been followed by my Papa saying that that wasn't a nice word to say. You know, the word crud, that all the hoodlums are using today. Anyway, my throat hurts, my face and head hurt, my nose is sniffly and I feel generally like the only thing worthwhile in life is pjs and a warm bed. BUT, today is Valentine's Day, don't ya know? I am supposed to feel in love when I really feel, well, cruddy.
Despite my disposition, Valentine's Day was sweet and good for my soul. My husband is good about these kinds of things. For a man whose co-workers think he is a curmudgeon, he is quite a surprise. When my daughter was 2 years old, he came home with a dozen roses in matching vases for the two of us. He said he wanted to be the first boy to give her flowers. And he has done so every year since. I asked him this year to please please just do for her. Quite frankly, I know he loves me and I don't need overpriced heart paraphernalia to help me know. For heaven's sake, he has rubbed my back at bedtime for 10 years without grumble or fail. (Yikes, did I just say that out loud??) Regardless, he brought home flowers and a card for me. He took time to write a lengthy note in the card and truly, that is the best. 
I gave Bob the Builder gifts cause I told him he is my sugar cube and Daddy gave Tiny Dancer gifts cause she is his princess angel sweetheart (those are her words). Maybe we missed the world's view on Valentine's Day but we look for every single chance we can find to make our babies feel special. I try to do so every day but around this house, we love us some holidays!!!
My husband has been telling our son for ages that girls love Valentine's Day and that the day is really about the girls. I think he is preparing him for the manly duties he will one day face when it comes to February 14. Mama, however, didn't forget that boys love video games and candy. So, Wyatt is busy playing a new Ratatouille GameBoy Game and shoving his mouth with miniature Hershey bars. I've got his back!!!
What I did realize today was what I whispered into my husband's ear as we passed on the staircase. The best Valentine's gift I have ever received? My daughter having a father like that. A father who twirls her around each day when he comes home and tells her she is beautiful and lovely and precious. What would the world be like if it was full of women who had been loved by their fathers that way? Can we imagine such a place? A place where women had an earthly glimpse of God the Father's love by seeing and feeling the love of their earthly dads. I think that is what God had in mind when he made fathers and daughters and instead, the world has tossed dads aside like yesterday's news. Besides a relationship with God, what my husband is building with his daughter might be the most important relationship in her life. What a beautiful Valentine's Day!
