Hello. I wrote this a few years ago and updated it this morning.
Today’s a new day! So my wife and I haven’t celebrated Valentine’s Day in many years. So many that I cannot even remember when we stopped. Before you call me a hater, it’s not that we have anything against love or romance. Actual love just seems like it has become overshadowed by consumerism for Valentine’s Day. Romance isn’t about forced flowers, chocolates or expensive presents. True love isn’t defined by material gifts. No, true love is about what comes from the heart. Yes, I get that Valentine’s Day can also be about doing something special for your significant other, but why wait for that one day of the year. We should always be doing nice things and celebrating our loved one.
Laura and I celebrated twenty-five years of marriage last year. I’m not gonna say our marriage is completely perfect. We have had disagreements over the years, but we never allow the day to end with us being in disagreement. We also never take each other for granted. Choosing the right person to marry is very important but both people also need to agree to make a commitment to be intentional in the relationship and never stop working at it. I’ve seen couples who have been together for years, but don’t seem happy at all. Well it doesn’t have to be that way if you make the effort to not let the fun and excitement of your marriage slip away.
Laura and I do this by choosing love everyday in different ways. Here is just a few:
1. We always say “I love you.” before we leave the house each day. Simple, but how many people forget this simple gesture?
2. We always end each phone call with an I love you even if one of us is just calling to say we’re on our way home.
3. We make a point to always thank each other for the things we do for one another whether they’re big or small. Romantic stuff like taking out the trash.
4. We think about each other when we’re apart. Sometimes we text during the day just because. Sometimes we texted each other when we’re sitting right next to each other.
5. We make each other laugh every day.
6. We enjoy spending time together.
7. We surprise each other with little gifts throughout the year. We do not wait for special occasions to do special things for one another.
8. We support each other no matter what. We truly believe everything will always be okay as long as we’re together.
9. We realize how blessed we are to have one another and it’s not something we take lightly or for granted.
10. After twenty-five years, we still take our wedding vows seriously.
Real love isn’t just about the grand gestures because it’s the small things that add up to keep love and happiness alive. And love every day is infinitely more rewarding than celebrating love on some designated holiday. Sometimes, I think back to when we were dating and it amazes me that we’re now still living out the dream we had back then of always being together. Every day we laugh, talk, work through things and grow together. And we know just how blessed we are that our dream has become a reality and that sometimes reality is even better than a dream. ~OC 
The Blessed Overcomer 
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