Almost every night my husband and I have approximately 3-4 minutes that we talk to each other that doesn’t involve schedules, business or some other pressing issue. Then I am so exhausted I have to go to bed. Often it is when Nathan is grinding coffee and setting the coffee maker timer to go off early the next day for me. It’s a little gift he does for me daily. Earlier this week we were talking schedules, the heartbreak we have seen this week as we watched friends say good-bye to their dad, how short life is, then Valentine’s Day came up and we ended up on relationships.
Now my husband has a blog rule that has stood around here for five years. You might know it. “No mushy stuff on the blog.”
But it is Valentine’s Day and I am a rule breaker.
Nathan said to me, “First you fall in love. Then you have to love your choice.”
His simple words were profound to me.
I am so thankful this sweet little boy grew up into a man…
and that he loves his choice, every day. Nathan did not make an easy choice. I was a fiercely independent, single mom. The first flowers he bought me I said, “Flowers die.” He said, “But I want to buy them for you.” I learned to appreciate the beauty in fresh flowers and his sincerity. He broke my hard shell. I love him for challenging me, respecting me and loving me. He makes me a better person, mother and wife.
And he has loved his choice. Every day with every pot of coffee he has made me. He is thoughtful, giving and true.
After seven years of loving his choice, I can even proudly say he loves me more than what he loved the most…in what he terms his “BK” (Before Katie) years. The boat and fishing.
The boat and fishing remains in Nathan’s life. But he loves in deeper way now. He loves people, not things.
Falling in love is the easy part. Loving your choice is the true test, challenge and reward.
I can say the relationship I found by allowing myself to fall in love and then loving my choice is the most rewarding relationship I will ever know. Now that is enough mushy stuff for this blog to last at least a year.
Leslie says
February 14, 2013 at 2:50 pmGreat post! And I don’t think it’s too mushy. I love the “Flowers Die” card. I always told my husband that if you’re going to give me flowers, give me ones with roots (not that he always listens).
MTWaggin says
February 14, 2013 at 4:40 pmI absolutely ADORE that quote and will be keeping it close to my heart as well.
April S. says
February 14, 2013 at 7:17 pmGreat post! Mine is similiar 🙂 http://aprilscountrylife.blogspot.com/2013/02/choosing-love.html True love isn’t easy – you have to choose every day to work on it and keep it strong and when you feel like its falling apart that means at least one of you hasn’t been working on it enough. 🙂
mountain mama says
February 14, 2013 at 8:31 pmso sweet! 🙂
happy valentine’s day!
Michelle says
February 15, 2013 at 12:56 amSuch a wonderful post! How could he not love it?!
Winnie says
February 15, 2013 at 1:30 pmSuch a sweet post. I don’t find it too mushy, just filled with love and happiness. Your daughter is a mini-you in the picture! The coffee he makes is love being shared, and nothing is better. My hubby makes me a cup of tea eat Sunday and brings me a book to read before I start my day. Quiet me time. The action speaks volumes to me.
Nicole says
February 15, 2013 at 5:42 pmBeautiful!!