He loves me, He loves me not?

I can remember as a young girl pulling off the petal to a daisy asking the question he loves me...he loves me not. I would wait with anticipation as I got closer to the last petal hoping and praying that the answer would be HE LOVES ME! Ah, the good old days when Magic 8 Balls and flower petals would tell your future and make, or not make, all your hopes and dreams come true. And, if you didn't like the outcome you could just pick another flower or shake the ball again. (Oh, come on. Don't say that's cheating because you know you did it too.) Then one day...BAM!...reality hits and you're over 30 with the proverbial husband, 2 kids, dog, cat, minivan and a full time job.

Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining one bit. I love my life. I can't imagine any more rewarding career then one serving my country. I can't imagine two better children, but my husband...well truth be told, sometimes I wonder. After 12 years of marriage would he ever get it right? I think he finally has. Bear with me while I go back a little bit. I'm not really a jewelry person. I don't really like cut flowers because they die. I would love a flashy car, but not the payment or insurance. So poor Ben never knew what to get me for any holiday and Lord knows he better not buy me cloths :-) So, a few months ago after football season started I told Ben, "Honey, this TV just won't do for the Steeler games. You have my permission to go buy a flat screen HD TV and surround sound system." He almost dropped dead. I mean, how many wives want a bigger TV for a football game? That was our gift to ourselves for Christmas. Then, it was coming on Valentine's Day. Ben and his Dad built me a little make shift art area in our laundry room. I was so excited to begin making cards and projects again but the lighting was just so bad. I got a desk lamp, but it still wasn't great working conditions. I came home on Friday before Valentine's Day and installed above my art table and washer and dryer were 3 new fluorescent lights perfect for stamping! I was so happy! On Saturday morning I gave Ben his hand-made Valentine cards with a little something written inside and his box of chocolates. He teared up after reading them and said "All I got you were some stupid lights". I cried as well and replied "I love my stupid lights. I couldn't have asked for anything better". Yes, I know I am weird.

So, last night I gave Ben a heads up for what I wanted for my birthday. No, not jewelry or flowers or a car but instead I want a light over my kitchen sink. Yes, you read correctly, a light over my kitchen sink. You ladies know exactly what I'm talking about. You just have to have a light over the sink, especially when your kitchen light isn't all that bright to begin with. So, that is what I really want for my birthday. Now I know that I may have to help install it, but it will make me so happy to finally be able to see what I am doing around my sink.

So he loves me, he loves me not? I know Ben loves me. I also know that maybe he is finally figuring out that I really am simplistic and practical. I'm not a girly, girl...except when absolutely necessary :-)...and I am happy with just the smallest gestures and gifts.

I think we live in a world where we get caught up in "things". We seem to identify ourselves with what materialistic things we have instead of what is important. I know that I would love nothing more than to buy Ben the truck he has always wanted and deserves, but alas the want just can't seem to justify to need. I keep telling him that he will get his truck one day. I just hope that by the time I can afford it that he can still see to drive :-)

I'll leave you with this final thought. Pull off those daisy petals and shake that magic 8 ball to your hearts content. Just know that the Lord gives and takes away what He thinks we should have. I just hope he thinks I should have that light over my kitchen sink :-)

Happy Valentine's Day...because we should love each other every day!