Take My Hand And Hold It

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He reached out for my hand...and everything around me, became still.

...

When you hold my hand, everything is as it should be.

Experience

What is experience? 

What is experience if it was done all wrong?

Some say, I have this many years of experience, I've done this for so long...

But what if all those years, it was first learned wrong, and never corrected or made better? What if all those years shouldn't even count as a "stash" of knowledge and 'experience' at all?

Sometimes wisdom has nothing to do with experience and years. 

Sometimes wisdom is spoken out of the mouths of babes.

Sometimes it's better to stand in humility and be corrected.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

And

James 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

My Valentine

This year, for Valentine's Day, I didn't get a chance to plan anything. I didn't plan a day out. I didn't buy any gifts, big or small. I didn't buy any cute cards to sign.(and i really like cards!) I haven't even thought about making a cozy, romantic dinner at home. 

A couple of weeks ago, we had our little girl. Thus, I haven't had time to even think about Valentine's Day! I've been preoccupied with thoughts about diapers, feeding every two hours, and such...You know, the new mama things. 

...

So who is my Valentine? Who is this man whom I adore so much, and think so fondly of? 

He is the one who knows my heart. What pains me. What breaks my heart. What gives me joy. What makes me happy. He hears my thoughts. He is the one I go to, to share my excitement or my disappointment. He is the first person I think of if I want to share something, have good or bad news. I can feel free to tell him anything. No reservations. Just transparency. About the past, about the future. To think, that he knows me better than anyone I've ever known or lived with! He knows me better than my parents, siblings, friends, or any other person that has gotten to spend time with me. I can be my complete self with him. Weather it's my animation and sounds affects, my nerdy goofy self, or my serious, proper lady ways...He laughs and gets a kick out of it! 

And what do I enjoy about him? That we can share the most important thing in life together- our faith. That we can sit side by side in church and know that God is speaking to and working in both our hearts. That we can listen to sermons and discuss them. We can pray together. That I can be a witness to his life and to the work that God is doing in his heart. That we can share ideas and a lot of the same interests. I can't even imagine how long the list would be if I went into it...Weather it's the fact that he loves a good classical piece and can enjoy it as much as I. Or that we can cook together. Or our enjoyment of photography. And I like so much that in any interest that we mutually enjoy, he has a completely different approach or knowledge of it that challenges me, and pushes me to know it in a different way!

How he shares his ideas with me. How he laughs. How if he enjoys something, he really enjoys it! How he gets excited about things! How he loves...

This man is my treasure. My husband. The one I love with all my heart! He has been so sweet and loving. Has taken care of me. Supported me. Lavished me. Encouraged me. He has taught me so much and has introduced me to many new things. I admire and respect him. For his love of God and desire to know him better. That he is gentle. He can say sorry if need be. He is so real and that is my favorite! And I so enjoy that he is willing to try new things! Even if it means helping me foil my hair! We just have fun. I call him my 'renaissance man' because he truly is diverse, finds interest in much, knows a lot about any given topic, can hold a conversation, has a sense of humor, is talented and artistic...I've watched him work on projects, fix things up, run to aid me if anything is not working, and learn if need be.

And really, it's not about the fact that he does or doesn't do this or that. Plainly, I just love him for who he is-his heart and soul.

And these last few weeks, as a new father, he amazes me. The whole nine months leading up to the birth of our little one, he has been so supportive and helpful. If I had complained any more than I have to him, it's as if he never even noticed. His help during labor, and in these weeks, has been immense. And the way he holds our daughter, reads to her, or sings to her to comfort her is too precious. He's sat up 'till two in the morning so I could get some sleep, even though he has to go to work. And I can only be grateful and thankful...

So, my darling Peter, 

Happy Valentine's Day. I love you so, so much! You are my one and only Valentine. I am grateful for your love and so appreciative of you.

 You make me happy. You make me smile. You make me laugh. 

It's been wonderful being your wife - having you as my husband. And it's been wonderful seeing you as a father to our little girl. As you say,

 "Hi little girl..."

You are a wonderful man, friend, husband, and now father.

And it's my pleasure and privilege to share my life with you and to walk alongside you in all that comes our way.

-your bird