Happy Valentine's Day To My Love

After so many years together I don’t question the love Jill and I have together. Our relationship is part of our life, it cannot be separated, it is non-voluntary, like breathing.

We decided to bypass this holiday celebration. No gifts, no romantic dinners, no chocolates. This was not because we are rebelling the obvious commercialization of this special day. It was simply because there is virtually nothing else we need. Why spend money on the unnecessary?

I was good with it, probably wouldn’t have thought twice. But this is the first year I have been tuned into the blogosphere, and this as it turns out, made me think in ways I have never thought.

Most of what I read was railing against this commercialized holiday. But one post about cupid getting lazy made me think. So I have to do something, and this is it.

Jill is my lover for life. We have been committed to each other for nearly 20 years and married now for 14 in May.

Jill is my wife. And a better one I cannot imagine. This is not a marriage about submission we don’t follow the biblical path but she fulfills whatever duties could be considered wifely with passion, care and grace.

Jill is my partner. In anything we do or accomplish she is a part of the team. We don’t always agree immediately but she is willing to listen to my crazy ideas and help guide our decisions to some level of sanity.

Jill is my children’s mother. And fantastic she is! She has nurtured them and cared for them, taught them and guided them. Jill is my children’s friend, guidance counselor and disciplinarian. No child is perfect and ours are no different but all things considered we are truly blessed and Jill deserves most of the credit!

Jill is my friend. I cherish my wife, I appreciate all that she does to support our home and our children. Her friendship however is the foundation of our relationship and what makes Jill truly special to me.

When we first began our romantic relationship we spent thousands of hours talking about many aspects of love and live. One concept we felt similarly about was the idea of unconditional love. No two people are exactly alike. We will have and develop different interest. Everyone makes poor decisions and speaks without thinking. We all come with our own skeletons in the closets and bad habits that annoy. Nobody is perfect but if you are serious about a long-term relationship you must be willing to love unconditionally.

I have given Jill so many reasons to be unhappy. I have taken her for granted, I have spoken with anger, criticized and cussed. I have failed to listen, to pay attention and heeded her suggestions. I like it hot while she likes it cool, I have left soda cans and glasses laying around the house (I never did this all in one day!). Through it all, there have been times when Jill was not happy and even expressed anger herself but Jill has never ceased to show that she loves me.

I am the luckiest man in the world for I found the perfect friend, companion and wife for me.

Thank you Jill, I love you too!