...is often when the most delightful "love notes" come my way.

I confess to being both a hopeless romantic and a Valentine humbug at the same time. Why? Because I believe in true love (and am blessed enough to be married to mine), but I hate the false expectations about romance that the holiday blitz creates.

Let's face it, my husband is utterly amazing in the everyday aspects of service that really bless my socks off. But, when it comes to holidays, it's often, "Gee, you mean Valentines' Day is on February 14th this year??!"

However, when I miss all the day to day romance in lieu of some conjured up fantasy of a spa gift certificate, an box of gourmet chocolate and several dozen roses (this is a fantasy...I actually am very NOT into roses on V-day for many reasons, LOL), I fail to do him justice.

Now, before you get the idea that my knight is getting rusty, let me state for the record that I am received a beautiful love letter (albeit on very non-valentineish white paper!) and was presented with a booking for a Vegas getaway next month. The thought was more than there, even if the fancy wrapping wasn't.

My point is that I can choose to judge him by the standard of an industry that would tell me my husband's love can be measured by what he purchased for me in advance, and then pout and feel sorry for myself when he doesn't measure up, OR I can look at him in the light of the truth and recognize and be thankful for the way he chooses to love and cherish me daily.

I was discussing this with a favorite Titus 2 friend of mine, and she shared my feelings on this issue. Valentines' day really is every day when you are blessed to live with a godly man.

Then she handed me a gift certificate for a full scholarship to a marriage conference we've been trying to go to for years but have missed due to schedules, nursing babies, etc.

Wow...love notes from my knight and from the Lord. February 14 doesn't get any better than this.