He never forgets Valentine's Day, but usually he does something a little more sentimental, like write me a love note. He claims it's a made-up holiday that doesn't really mean anything. His view is that you should have special moments constantly throughout the year, instead of forcing it and going overboard on one day that everybody else is too. How special is it when you know everyone else is undertaking similar romantic ventures and you're admiring your similar bouquets of flowers?
I have a mixed reaction to this perspective. Of course, the romantic girl in me wants to be swept away, especially if everyone else is too. Aren't I worth it after all? But, my practical side also knows he has a solid point. So we settle on low-key. I can live with that.
Mostly, I can live with that compromise because I do have my Valentine every single day of the year and that's way more special. Normally, I try my best not to talk about how wonderful my husband is all the time ( (on facebook or otherwise) because that's obnoxious and no one can feel like that 100% of the time, but I figure it's Valentine's Day so this is as good a time as any to be a little mushy. Mostly, I want to share a little insight into the Alex I see, because I think that most people don't get to see all of his sides.
Alex's stance on Valentine's Day is the ideal example of how he is always true to himself and he's not willing to compromise that or act like someone he's not. I love this about him. Along the way this personality trait has ruffled a few feathers and at the same time helped him make fast friends. By both words and action he has led me to search for my true self and find worth in just being myself. His supportive and nurturing nature have also assisted immensely in that quest. For such a talker, he's also an amazing listener.
He is passionate and a dreamer through and through. He has big ideas and he's not afraid to share them with anyone who might be interested, even if it sometimes garners a few skeptical laughs. Sometimes I can't help but laugh too at his grandiose ideas, but I also know that one day Alex will be the one laughing and saying, "I told you so" with a twinkle in his eye.
He's perceptive and observant which make him so great with people (and dealing with me haha). When we met his easy nature with people was one of the things I admired most, and I still do. Slowly, but surely he's rubbing off on me. I hope.
One of the things I've come to discover about him more and more, even lately, is his love for planning. We sit on the couch with our backs against the sides and our feet touching in the middle with a beer in hand (or in the summer on the patio as the sun sets) and talk and plan about anything and everything. Sometimes there is even a pen and paper or an excel file involved. Now we're talking my love language.
While he has so many qualities (obviously enough to convince me I should marry him), my favorite has to be his ability to make me laugh every single day. He never fails. He's especially good at making me laugh when I'm attempting to be annoyed with him. Which is annoying in itself.
So Happy Valentine's Day to my Alex, who I'm lucky enough to have as my Valentine 365 days of the year.
“Sexiness wears thin
after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh
every day, ah, now that’s a real treat.” - Joanne Woodward on Paul Newman
