Dear Grandkids,
Let me tell you my best Valentine’s story.
Way back in 1996 when your parents were 9 (Christy), 8 (Scott), and 5 (Tucker) a friend of mine and I went to a Promise Keepers Clergy Conference that was from February 13-15. Yes indeed, it was scheduled over Valentine’s Day. Yes indeed it was put on by an organization that strongly promoted men leading their wives and families. And yes indeed I made the choice to go and be away from my wife on purportedly the most romantic day of the year. Probably not the best decision I ever made but I didn’t do a bad job of redeeming that decision – if I do say so myself.
Here’s what happened…
Greg and I felt so bad about being away from our wives that we decided NOT to be away from our wives. We arranged for our wives to spend V-Day with us – without them knowing it ahead of time.
On the morning of the 14th I called Nona from Atlanta and wished her a Happy Valentine’s Day and told her to look in a drawer of my dresser after we got off the phone. There was a letter that explained the following:
- Her mom, your great grandmother, would be showing up at the house soon to look after the kids. She would get them from school and take care of them that night and the next day. She didn’t have to worry about anything – everything was arranged for her to be gone.
- There was an airline ticket for a flight that left RDU early afternoon.
- She was to pack a bag for a one night romantic adventure and join me in Hotlanta.
- I would meet her at the airport
She followed my instructions perfectly. I met her at the airport – along with Greg’s wife who was enjoying the same surprise – and we had an an awesome evening together including a romantic candlelight supper, a stroll through Underground Atlanta, and various other romantic kinds of things. It was a Valentine’s memory that has gotten a lot of mileage through the years and one that we will never forget.
My guess is that one day each of you will be married. My encouragement to you is to look for ways to build memories that will last a lifetime with the one that you love. Those memories will help to anchor your relationship and will give you some fun stories to tell when your grandkids ask you to tell them stories about when their parents were kids.
Never forget that you are very loved!
