My dear baby girl,
Consider this your first valentine. A love letter from me to you. Today you spent the day sick with a terrible cold - a pitiful puddle of coughing and snot after a long night of crying. Not the best day. But you know, sometimes that’s just how Valentines goes. Not according to plan. Not the ideal. And that’s OK. Don’t put extravagant expectations on this or on any day, or those who are around you on these days. Instead, aim to give love thoughtfully and joyfully to others every day.
Not that you can’t enjoy this day either. Some Valentines days will be lovely. Eat sweets. Wear red and pink. Make valentines cards. Enjoy it regardless of your age, your relationship status, or how near or far you are from those you love.
And as far as romantic love goes, there are so many things I want to tell you. But for today know these things:
1. Your relationship status has zero bearing on your worth, beauty, and desirability. You are magnificently made by God, and whether you have a date or not does not change that. On those Valentines days (or any days) when you’re “alone”, don’t be down on yourself, or question your value. Instead look to be kind and caring, and love-giving to others, and rest in the love of God that is always enough.
2. There are still good men. Great men, in fact. I know, I married one. Unfortunately our world does a whole lot to tear men down, stumble them, trip them up, or tell them the wrong things about what it means to “be a man”. And so good men may be rare. But if the Lord plans to bring you a good man, I’m praying for him and you should too until you meet him. This means a few things:
-Don’t give up on the idea of finding your true love, of marriage that lasts and excels, of a truly deep and beautiful relationship. If this is God’s will for you, He surely will bring this to you in His timing. Wait for it. Everything’s always better when done God’s way.
-Don’t settle for less the great. Don’t seek the arms of a man who’s not willing to lay down his life for you. Don’t give your heart to a man whose heart does not fully belong to God. Don’t spend your time on someone who does not want what is the best for you, love who God made you, and who is not determined to do his very best for you.
-Be a great woman. Be the kind of girl that a great man would long to give everything up for. Give your heart wholly to your Heavenly Father first. Live life with vibrancy and bravery. Serve others with compassion and joy. Use your gifts, and your beauty, and your intellect to your fullest capacity with humility and wisdom. Present yourself to everyone with respect and dignity. Pray hard for those in your life. Trust the Lord with any and every thing.
And finally,
3. You are loved more than you will ever know. You are loved by me. And you’ll only know the extent of this love if one day you become a mother too. I never knew love like this was possible. My heart aches with the swelling weight of this love. You are the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. I long to see you grow, and live, and love, and succeed, and trust wholeheartedly in the strong arms of God. I think you’ll never quite know how much I love you. And my love is but a fraction of the love God has for you. Love enough to give his own Son to die. Love that knows every part of your body and soul that He intricately and masterfully created. Love that waits for you to run to Him with everything you have and all you are. A love that is too deep, and wide, and long, and great to ever understand. Never forget that.
Happy Valentines Day, Baby Girl.
Love, Mom
