13 Valentine’s Days

It’s hard to believe that we are coming on Matthew’s and my 13th Valentine’s Day.

We were just getting to know each other at Valentine’s 2003. He lived in Nashville and I was in school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

There wasn’t texting yet, so we did lots of chatting on the phone, AOL IM, email and snail mail. I’ll never forget that on Valentine’s Day, he sent me a FedEx with a card and Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me CD. It was the first time he had written something to me and I kept it all – even the FedEx slip. Somehow my heart just knew.

Seven months later we were engaged.

I love looking back on how our relationship has grown and changed over the years. Matthew is  my best friend in every sense of the word. He makes me laugh, he challenges me, he cheers me on. I adore him.

Our love has intensified since becoming parents. Matthew is an incredible father and it is a joy watching him teach and love our kids.

One constant in the way I’ve shown Matthew affection over the years is through cards. Words of affirmation are his top love language, and since we dated long-distance for a year and a half, I sent him dozens of cards. Cards were sold at the pizza and sandwich shop on campus, so I would often use money from my meal plan to buy him cards.

With a new baby this year, Valentine’s Day won’t mean a date night. We’ll stay in, make a good meal and maybe snuggle up with a movie.

And of course, there will be cards. At least one each, but maybe more. (Matthew is notorious for buying two or three cards.)

I’m a sucker for beautiful cards and always buy Hallmark cards for holidays. Their writers are some of the best in business and I always manage to find a card that speaks my heart. Plus, their designs are swoon-worthy. (Felt, embossed cardstock, metallics – yes, please.

While some say Valentine’s is just a made-up holiday, I think it is a perfect opportunity to intentionally say I LOVE YOU.

So this weekend, when you are out running errands, stop and pick up a Valentine’s card for the one you love.

Cards are a tangible reminder of that love – and a way to leave a legacy of that love.

While writing this post, I went up to our bedroom and pulled out a small box of cards that Matthew sent me in our first months of dating. I read every one. Tears streamed down my face as I saw a tangible fingerprints of God’s working in our lives – even before we knew we were in love.

I’m so thankful for cards and the written word. I hope this encourages you to take the time to really put your heart to paper. Our words matter. Love matters.

This post is sponsored by Hallmark, but the trip down memory lane, stories and love of cards are all my own. Family photos by the amazing Alissa Saylor. Click here to see more from the shoot.