Men, in particular: PAY ATTENTION. If I hear one more person say “Oh, Valentine’s Day is a card/candy company’s holiday,” especially men, I am going to wretch. It’s like saying, “I’m not going to buy hamburgers to grill on the Fourth of July, or watch any fireworks…” Scrooge! From a woman’s perspective, it’s not how much money you spend, but the THOUGHT (I’m sure you all have a few of those kicking around in your noggins) that truly makes the tradition of Valentine’s Day. Certianly you can do this any old day, but when there is a nationally recognized and official day that sharing and expressing your love to another is encouraged, what good is done by negating it? In fact, I would wager that the people that cop out on the Valentine’s Day…cop out every other day of the year, too.

Here is the website that explains the various traditions and history of one, St. Valentine, and how it has carried itself over into what we experience today as cultural norms. Do I agree with what out society deems as appropriate to express love? Not entirely. Chocolates and goofy pre-written cards are for the birds. But I do think it is a man’s duty to take the lead on these sorts of things, expressing his love for his wife in a way characteristic of Christ’s love in action to His Church, sacrificial and merciful to her that indicates the authentic relationship that God has brought together. Authenticity is key, and manifests itself uniquely through the distint personalities of husband and wife. So, practically speaking, special memories, inside jokes, and personal touches are exactly what the holiday calls for, and my hope and prayer is that every husband out there takes the lead, as head of household, to act upon the very love given to him in Christ.