I found him whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go.

Song of Songs 3: 4

As I celebrate Valentine’s Day today, I can’t help but think of past Valentine’s Days and how time changes things. As a young child, Valentine’s Day meant exchanging cards with classmates and receiving a homemade card from my mom and dad with a large heart-shaped lollipop. As a young bride and military wife, it meant romantic cards, a celebratory dinner, and if money wasn’t tight, a bouquet of yellow roses.

I still have all the letters and cards my husband gave me on Valentine’s Day. I keep them in a decorative box on my nightstand with the other cards and letters he gave me over the years, many which were sent when he was away on deployments in the Marines. I will look through those cherished cards and letters tonight and say a prayer of thanks to God for allowing me the blessing of experiencing marriage, motherhood, and being a grandmother. My marriage was far from perfect and life didn’t turn out like I expected, but I’ve been blessed with four children and seven grandchildren to love and cherish.

The last Valentine’s Day I celebrated with my husband will always be my most memorable one. It was a day filled with flowers, cards, romance, a nice dinner, a special song, and a miracle. I believe God allowed me to experience that extra special day so I would have the memories to ponder and hold in my heart forever. God is amazing like that!

In this season of widowhood and singleness, God has lovingly cared for me in unique and unexpected ways. As the verse above states, I have truly found the one whom my soul loves and I am holding tight to him. My personal relationship with him has been the greatest love affair of my life, and it’s a love affair that will continue for all eternity. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 54: 5:

For your Maker is your husband– the LORD Almighty is his name– the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. (Isaiah 54: 5 NIV)

Valentine’s Day can be depressing for those who are widowed, single, in difficult marriages, or for those who have good husbands who aren’t very romantic. If you feel alone today, remember you have a husband who is your redeemer and the God of all the earth. No human love can even come close to the intimate love we have with him, and nothing can separate us from his love.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 38-39 NIV)

Rejoice in the amazing love of God as you celebrate Valentine’s Day today. Spend some time in prayer and reading the word. Sit at his feet and cherish his presence in your life. Make this the day you commit to nurturing your relationship with him on a daily basis. You will never regret being part of the greatest love story of all time. Happy Valentine’s Day!