Happy Valentine's Day Angel!

Valentine's Day is here, the day when most men run out and buy candy, a card and flowers for their special someone. I am unique (strange?) in that although I am prone to do these same things, I do them whenever the mood hits me; not just on this special day but anytime throughout the year when I feel you should know just how I feel.

I also tend to put little nothings down on paper, in word or verse, that tell you how I feel about you. I love you. Pure, deep, abiding love for you that nothing can shake. I am blessed to have found you, blessed to have won you, and blessed to have been able to spend these years together with you. I pray my luck and blessings hold out and we share many more days, weeks, months and years together. Please read these words and know they are for you. Listen to the songs and know that even if the words and music aren't mine, the sentiments most definitely are.

I love you.

The words that follow here were written for you on a Mother's Day a few years ago, but I claim literary license and am adapting them to Valentine's day.

It’s all too easy to shop for a card

Something that tells you something from the heart

Happy Valentine’s Day, To my best friend

For my soul mate, for The love of my life

But these words were written by someone else

Someone who doesn’t know you as I do

Knows what you mean to me, or what you do daily

How can someone else understand you as I do

Or care and love you the way you deserve

Only I know how I feel for you, or what you mean to this family

Only I know you as you need to be known

They have no clue to the real you

The you that loves so deeply it hurts

The you that gives to others rather than yourself

The you that I love more than anything in this world or the next

Tina, I wish I had more to offer you then mere words

But words are all I have

So, Happy Valentine’s Day to the mother of my children

To my best friend, my love, my soul mate

To the only person in this world I can say I truly respect and adore

The one person I cannot do without

I love you, Angel, and I wish I had more to offer you than just me

But here I am, for as long as you wish

Hoping you have a grand day, for if any one deserves our gratitude,

It is you. I love you

One of those songs that says what's in my heart. There is nowhere too far for me to travel to be with you. No mountain too high, no valley too deep. If I had to run, if I had to crawl, if I had to swim a hundred rivers, just to climb a thousand walls. Nothing could stop me from getting to you.

I never tire of seeing you! I can look at you for hours and every single second is fresh and new. When you glance my way my heart jumps in my chest, my mouth can't help but smile. And when I hold you in my arms I hold the world, the universe and best of all, my future. Beyond you, nothing exists.

When I was in Tulsa training, I listened to this song every chance I could. Away from you and the family, reduced to talking on the phone each evening and hearing the children playing in the background was exactly like this song. It hurt to be away from you and my family. But here we are, years later still deeply in love. I can't ask for a better gift than your continued love and blessings. And nothing I can buy for you will ever match what you are worth to me.

Oh, how we love this movie! You're my Ellie, I'm your Carl. You are my bright, wonderful, full of life wife; I am your staid, quiet, curmudgeonly husband. Our dreams of travel will come true, sooner rather than later I pray. Each and every time I hear this song or watch this video, I cry with the joy that has somehow found its way to my heart through you. I can't help it. You brighten every day regardless of the sunshine or rain. Your smile makes the darkest day as bright as summer. It warms me when I am cold, and keeps me safe. How did I ever survive before you?

Last summer we were at Silver Dollar City on our anniversary and saw the Harlem Globetrotters. We went down after the show and told the team that this was our anniversary and this player offered to help us "renew" our vows. It was hard to keep a straight face as he pretended to do this. I would gladly do this with you every single year just to see you smile.

Early on in our friendship, as it was becoming a romance you once asked me what I would do if we couldn't be together. I told you that I would breathe in day after day, keep moving forward but I wouldn't enjoy life without you; just survive, nothing else. I couldn't imagine life without you once I found you. Then I heard this song and realized the words said just what I meant. Strange how many times that's happened to me over the years. I had never heard the song at all, just had the feelings and all of a sudden the song arrives and it is perfect.

Just like you.

Of all the little nothings I have written for you over the years, I think this is my favorite. Your valentine gift from 2005. Do you remember?

Do you remember our first kiss?

Meeting you at the Hands?

Our walk by the water?

Sitting and talking by the fields?

I remember.

Do you remember our lunches?

Meeting at the creek, or at our church?

The lunches you brought, the fish you caught?

I remember.

Do you remember our late night kisses?

The special things I brought to you?

Bears frogs, monkeys and such?

Our meals sitting on the floor?

I remember.

Do you remember our special times?

The moments we laughed and hugged?

The moments we fell in love to?

The first "I Love You"?

I remember.

I think back on the days of our past,

Of all the times we've had.

Precious moments, cherished times.

The first time at your house.

The miles I walked to get to you.

I remember. I remember all of them.

Our Wedding Day. Our Wedding Dinner.

On the cliff, over the water.

I remember.

I live them time and again.

Your smile, your embrace, You.

Thank you for all of those memories.

Thank you for allowing me such times to Remember.

I love you.

So, there you go, Angel. Happy Valentine's Day to you, babydoll. I love you now and forever, and it feels as though you have always been in my life. I can't remember what life was before you, and I wouldn't want to now; life with you is perfect. Thank you for the gift of your love.