Monday, February 14, 2011

a tale of two Valentine love stories

I'm a sucker for Valentine's Day. Ever since I was a very little girl my Dad would bring me roses on February 14th. He would give my Mom red roses and give me pink roses. I felt like the luckiest little girl in the world. I'm pretty girly girl and nothing was more exciting than roses! I vividly remember scene after scene of watching my Dad appear at my door holding a bouquet of flowers JUST. FOR. ME. !!! Then Valentine's Day became even more exciting as a teenager. My Dad received a tiny bit of competition. There was ONE YEAR when I received flowers and gifts from FIVE different BOYS!

Heaven for me. Mmmhmm.

I was walking on cloud nine that 14th.


Here is the old scanned photo
of my Valentine gifts from 5 different boys.

I think I just sat cross-legged
in front of all these flowers for awhile
and just stared and smiled

image found via google image search


But my quiet, steady Dad was my consistent one. Every year I had roses from him. His love never wavered or changed like all those school year crushes. I knew I had his heart for always. I knew I didn't have to earn his love. He was my own hero and I was just his girl. He was there on my doorstep from those playful days of just being a kid, to the days I was a teenager needing a father's love, to my fresh adulthood. They were always there on the 14th. That's just my Dad. I can count on him. I still get my roses, and they still make my heart smile. Maybe he doesn't know the impact his Valentine Day actions made on this girl's heart.

It gave me comfort on the bad years,
excitement on the good years,
and joy on all the years.


The first set of roses he brought me years ago as a little girl was in a simple cream vase with pink hearts lining the top. I kept the vase and used it every Valentine's Day for my Dad's roses. It comes out every February.

But a few months ago as I was cleaning a shelf I broke the vase. I was crushed. This vase symbolized all I expressed above and held SO many memories of my Dad's tradition with bringing me Valentine roses. Chris tried to re-glue it, but it couldn't be repaired.


A few weeks past and my husband did something AMAZING! He surprised me with a brand new vase that matched my old vase perfectly. Secretly, he had simply looked at the bottom of my broken vase and jotted down the info.

Then he did some wild searches online to find a duplicate. After much searching he found ONE. Just one. I can't believe he was able to find it! The vase is from 1985. He surprised me with his find and gave me an incredible gift, the new vase.

Chris is amazing, one of a kind, and always there to make me smile. He is consistently aware of where my heart is, and is right there to take care of it. He is my man, my lover, and best friend. I love the way he is in sync with my spirit. He makes me feel special everyday.





So, this is a story of two love stories about the two greatest men in my life. I now have double the memories to add to this Valentine Day vase. The memories didn't stop with a broken vase. Chris doubled the joy and the memories when he surprised me!




These white hearts are gifts from my little boys!

Cherry Kiss Cookies



For me, Valentine's Day is a celebration of the men who build me up and who love me like crazy. And I have three little men who I want to raise to do the same...men who find value in making the women in their life feel SPECIAL. Thank you to my Dad. Thank you to my husband.


I love you,
I love you,
I love you.


Happy Valentine's Day!
"the Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love...he lifted me up to heavenly places, His banner over me is love...His BANNER OVER ME IS LOVE."
-Sunday school song



This post is linked to: LambAround, DIY Showoff, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, It's so Very Cheri, Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, I'm Lovin It, Funky Junk Interiors, Fabulous Friday Finds, Tickled Pink*, Be Different Act Normal, Weekend Wrap Up

16 comments:

caveman said...

I feel incredibly lucky to be your man Lisa Renee. I love you and I need you. Always and Forever. Would you believe I still get jealous when I see all those flower on from other guys? Well I do. You are mine. And I don't want it any other way. Happy Valentines Day BlueEyes.

Jane said...

How blessed you are to have TWO loving men in your life! (and three more, in the making!) Your daddy did something wonderful...He taught you that love is unconditional...and forever. Chris is continuing that lesson. And your sons are observing and learning. One day, they will carry these lessons on to their special ladies...
Happy Valentine's day!
Jane

Leanne said...

Awww! Both of your men are so sweet. Happy Valentine's Day!

NanaDiana said...

What a blessing to be so dearly loved. Happy Valentine's Day- xxoo Diana

Unknown said...

That is such a sweet story! So glad you got another vase. I know that it is hard when something that holds so many memories breaks or is lost..but now you have the new vase that shows the love and thoughtfulness of your husband...thanks for sharing!

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

Awwww *blush* so sweet!

Happy Valentine's Day, Lisa!

Judy@cutest-little-things

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Happy Valentines Day!

Jensamom23 said...

Wow! What wonderful blessings!

Kelly Miller said...

A devoted and loving father is the greatest gift any child can have. That you were given one, and that your children have one in Chris, is a blessing.

Nancy said...

That's so sweet! I'm so glad he was blessed to find a match. The boys in your life are lucky to have you Lisa =)

Grammy Goodwill said...

This is a great story. You have a wonderful Dad and a wonderful husband, too. Continue to cherish them.

Michelle said...

Your hubby is definitely a keeper!

When hubby and I first met the kids broke a hurricane glass that was one of my mom and dad's wedding presents from 1980. I don't have a lot of stuff that was passed down from them so I was crushed. Hubby surfed the internet and found a replacement on ebay. Made me so happy!

Holly Lefevre said...

I got goosebumps - man, you have got a great hubby...that is so sweet.

Victoria said...

What a blessing to have such sweet men in your life! Thanks for sharing your story!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a story! And what an amazing father and husband you have. Lucky girl! :-)

Ashlee Marie said...

That is so SO very thoughtful and sweet! Way to go Mr. Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's!