Valentine's Day

"It's Valentine's Day, so I suppose you would like to hear how I met my wife."  So began Dr. Voltz in class my junior year of college, and certainly none of us objected.  :-)  Dr. Voltz was also my advisor, and when I expressed interest in obtaining NY teaching certification at one of our early meetings together, he sort of brushed me off.  "Oh, you never know who you're going to meet and where you're going to end up."  He seemed to have love on his mind a lot.  When I think back on that conversation, I feel a little bit triumphant.  I DID end up teaching in NY after all!  Still, I am glad that he encouraged us toward marriage both directly and by his own example.  I'll be the first one to say that marriage is a wonderfully good thing!

 In the past, I've heard others criticize or downplay Valentine's Day as a mere commercial opportunity seized upon by local businesses.  I don't know; I make my valentines every year (I love making valentines!) so the commercialism doesn't affect me very much.  We ought to express love for each other often, and it seems that a holiday dedicated to such expressions can't be bad.  It may even serve as a timely reminder to those apt to forget.

Valentine's Day 2008

Valentine's Day also holds special memories for me now.  On February 14, 2008 the secretary at the school where I was teaching walked into my classroom with a vase of red roses--while I was teaching!  They were from John, and though he had already gotten the "go ahead" from my dad to get to know me, that night marked the official inception of our relationship.  I will always remember the awkwardness of the first pictures his parents took of us together and the general excitement that marked the whole day.

 

Valentine's Day 2009

On Valentine's Day the next year, we were engaged!  John brought me more red roses and also brought me to hear the Dublin Philharmonic orchestra!  That was a real treat and another evening of special memories.  And I think I can say with a measure of certainty that our first Valentine's Day as a married couple will be the best yet.  :-)