How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways...

Today is Valentine's Day, and I've spent the week surrounded by hearts and glitter and counting, so this one's for my sweetheart...

This is us on our first Valentine's Day as a married couple.  

We look essentially the same as we did almost 15 years ago, right?!?

1. I am thankful for the ONE unique you. I am thankful that even after all these years together, I'm still learning new things about you and the more I know you, the more I love you.

2. I am thankful for your TWO eyes that see the world through a completely different perspective than mine do. I think we keep each other balanced and your perspective keeps me grounded and more open than I would be without you.

3. I am thankful for the THREE beautiful children we have created together. They are our grandest accomplishment together and I'm so glad we can parent them together.

4. I am thankful for the FOUR places we have lived in all our years together. I'm glad we have shared so many experiences in so many different places. We have been blessed in each of those places and we have grown together in each of those places. I anticipate being many more places together with you.

5. I am thankful that the love between two has grown into love between FIVE. I am glad that our home is a place of peace and comfort, security and love, and that you have made serious efforts to make that so.
   
   
6. I am thankful for the SIX Chinese geometric shapes that we know about.

7. I'm going to stop at SEVEN because seven is the number that connotes perfection and completeness and wholeness. Perfection might be a bit of a stretch for us, but together we make a complete relationship, a whole friendship. I am so thankful you choose me all those many years ago and that I had the good sense to pick you. Thank you for being in my life, for smoothing off my rough edges, for helping me to see things and think of things I likely wouldn't pay attention to without your pointing them out. Thank you for your commitment and loyalty, for filling in my gaps and covering for me when I need covering. Thank you for being my Valentine every day of the year.

“This is my lover, this is my friend.”

Song of Songs 5:16