I used to get so excited as a little girl when it was time to make a box for Valentines Day in school! I’m sure you did the same thing. Get the shoe box, cover it with pink or red paper, glue on some cut-out hearts, cut an opening on the top of the box and wait for the sweet valentines and treats. I loved it! Of course, I saved the special one from that cute boy that I secretly had a crush on. Every girl loves a valentine. Every girl loves to think she is special in somebody’s eyes. It hasn’t changed just because we’re grown up women. We still love to feel that we’re special.
It’s been quite a few Valentines Days since those innocent times as a girl. Who knew that romance would be so complicated? Well, actually falling in love may not be so complicated, but falling out of love sure is. Being the recipient of a dozen roses, a box of chocolates and a heart bracelet sure makes February 14 a special day, especially from the one who is in love with you! It’s hard when the love is gone and you’re all alone on that day.
Of course, Valentines Day is a commercialized holiday. There are plenty of businesses who profit from romance. That’s a good thing, especially in this economy. However, it’s a day that may be a disappointment for some.
Last year, I was taking my dog for a walk and had a God-thought… I need to deliver roses to single moms on Valentines Day. Who doesn’t love roses? And who is more deserving of some love on Valentines Day than single moms? They work hard, love and care for their kids, try to keep a positive balance in their checkbook while figuring out how to work a second job. They may yearn for romance and someone who will bring them flowers, but it’s all so complicated now.
So, I put the word out to my friends and hand delivered roses, chocolates, a song and a love letter from God to about 20 single moms. Wow, you should have seen the response from some of them. They were clearly excited and filled with joy! I had no idea the effect that a simple delivery of love would have on these moms. One mom, in particular, was overjoyed. My friend told me that the single mom was going through chemo and life was really tough. I knocked on the door of her condo and wasn’t quite prepared our interaction. She slowly came to the door with nothing on her bald head. She apologized profusely for her appearance as I stepped inside her place. I told her that I was delivering a gift from her friend. She said, “Oh, that girl! What has she done now?” I told her that it was just a little something for Valentines Day. She was so happy! Her eyes filled with tears as her face was consumed in a brilliant smile. She kept saying how wonderful it was as she thanked me over and over. About a month later, I heard that her son went to school the next week and told all of his friends about the delivery. He kept talking about how it made his mom so happy. It was just one ordinary Valentines Day that had a special moment for one single mom.
I can’t even express how satisfied that made me feel. Wow, to have an impact on someone’s day like that made all the driving around and preparation more than worthwhile.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
This was the 2nd Valentines in the three years since divorce that I did NOT walk passed the store displays with a sinking heart. I use to wonder what my ex would do for his new wife, but not anymore. God has healed my heart and V day is all about making the day special for me and the kids. We laughed at the new Valentine’s Day movie, had a special hike here in Colorado Springs, and I even helped with hospitality and selling tickets to the church singles V-Day dance. I made sure each day of the weekend was special.