Dear Marcia,
This month is
considered to be the month that we celebrate Love. Technically it's actually
one day within this month, known as Valentine's Day. The "day" to
celebrate Love? One day of the year? As you can see, I am having a little
difficulty accepting the phrase "day". The issue that I have, is that
Love should be expressed more than one day of the year. I mean, our journey
together has started many moons ago, which is certainly more than one day.
Actually, my love for you has spanned greater than 8 years and still counting.
Yes, throughout our
journey we have experienced our share of ups and downs, but who has not. I just
know that at the end of each day, regardless of our struggle and/or
celebration, the following words are always expressed, "I Love You."
It never fails, after uttering the words, we always embrace. Unless we are over
the phone, but when I say the words, "I Love You," it is my way of
expressing my affection and personal attachment to you. It is my way of saying,
"I am here with you, by your side, no matter the situation."
Just like the words
of Matthew Henry -
“The woman was made
of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him,
nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal
with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved."
I feel that the Lord
has given us a pair of hands, pair of legs, a pair of eyes, and even a pair of
ears, but he/she provided one heart… I feel that we go through life searching
for our matching heart so that we can complete the match heart set. When we first met, I instantly knew that we
were a match. I had felt an extra
heartbeat that felt like an instantaneous heart attack. It was a pound that hit
so hard that my toe and fingertips had felt the sensation of the pulse. It was
as if my heart knew that we were a matching set. Thank god that I was able to
recover. I have to admit, I was extremely nervous and I was lost for
words.
As I write this, I
ponder if you know how Valentine's Day even began. There are many different
stories of how it started, but the one that I find most interesting is of Saint
Valentine of Terni story. Like any other holiday, of course, Valentine's Day started with a
tragedy.
In the year 269 AD,
Saint Valentine of Terni was sentenced to be beaten, stoned and finally
decapitated because he was conducting marriages for soldiers secretly. The
Emperor Claudius II or also known as Claudius Gothicus was a Roman emperor of
268 - 270 AD that had mandated that soldiers were not allowed to marry.
Claudius believed that an unmarried man made for a better soldier. His basic
thinking was that a married soldier would be afraid of his and/or families life
if tragedy struck, thus weaken his/her drive to win a battle.
Polygamy was allowed
and permitted during that time. But soldiers continued to be attracted to
Christian faith of being with one person. The church had continued to believe
that marriage was sacred between a single couple rather than multiple. Saint
Valentine, had secretly performed the marriage ceremonies to willing soldiers
despite the emperor's edict. Valentine
was eventually captured and tortured for performing the marriage ceremonies
against the command of Emperor Claudius II. Valentine's final letter to
Asterius daughter was signed "from your Valentine." Because of
Valentine's sacrifice, he has become known as patron saint of lovers.
St. Valentine's
devotion and dedication had sparked into a trillion dollar industry. But in
truth, the day allows many to remember the true meaning of those within our
lives. With you by my side, I am the strongest man alive. I don't need Valentine's day to remind me of
my love towards you. But what I do cherish most of all, is that I can express
my love to only you with no concern of any retribution from an Emperor.
I love you, Marcia.
From your Valentine…
From your Valentine…
Angel
