My Valentine

He doesn't tell me I look tired even when I stumble out of bed, bleary-eyed every morning. He responds to emails and reads the news while he waits for his turn in the bathroom. "Love is patient and kind."

When my best friend drives in for the weekend, he encourages our movie-watching. He provides the junk food, makes dinner, and shuttles the kids where they need to go. "Love is not jealous . . ."

He doesn't say, "I told you so" ... even when he has every right to say it. (Please don't tell him I admitted that; he may get a big head.) ". . . or boastful or proud . . ."

He has a great sense of humor -- always self-deprecating, never mean. ". . . or rude."

He lets me pick the restaurant and what show we watch on TV. We talk through decisions until we are in agreement. "It does not demand its own way."

He laughs at my jokes even when he's tired. He listens to my frustrations even when he'd rather take a nap. "It is not irritable, . . ."

In the midst of an argument (yes, we have those), he doesn't start sentences with Oh ya? Well, remember when you . . . or You never . . . or You always . . . ". . . and it keeps no record of being wronged."

He loves and lives the Word of God. When confronted with problems or difficulties, his first question is what does the Bible have to say about that? His faith forms the very foundation of his life. He waits with expectation for God to do what only He can do. "It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out."

He leads his family and his church to place their hope in God, no matter what the situation. He forgives and extends grace. "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

As the pastor read this passage of scripture at our wedding 20 years ago, I didn't really have a clue how to act out these verses. I am so grateful to be married to a man who does. He shows me every day how to love.

I love you, Scott.