1 John 4:19

Valentine’s Day.  The day we celebrate love and relationships.  Perhaps you are jetting off for a romantic weekend, or have fancy dinner reservations or maybe even re-visiting that special place where you realized your significant other was, “THE ONE.”  Maybe you’re single and have vowed to renounce all things resembling roses, candy, hearts or teddy bears.  Or maybe you’re like me, whose husband scheduled to be away at a coaching conference Friday-Sunday and did not even realize until he went to add it to his calendar that it was Valentine’s Weekend.  So instead of any of those romantic things, you like me, will spend Valentine’s Day on your couch in yoga pants eating Chinese take-out and watching HGTV with your dogs.  Y’all, I love that man. 

Let me be transparent.  Coach Husband & I have never been huge Valentine’s Day people.  In college February was the last month he had “off” before football was once again in full swing and so everyday felt like a Valentine’s Day.  He was present, he was rested and I did not have to call out plays from the playbook and see if he knew his routes.  February was the last month before craziness once more ensued and our lives once again became centered on the King of Texas: Football.  Now it’s not nearly as extreme but I am still a half-hearted Valentine’s Day person.  Perhaps it’s the cold weather that is normally laying siege to Texas during that time of year or the fact that Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the longest stretch of vacation-less days in a teacher’s life.  Or maybe I am one of those people who just cannot stand Valentine’s Day.  Be it what it may, I have always been that person frantically searching for a gift a couple of days before and half-heartedly putting thought into it.  Which for me, is huge.

You see my love language is gifts.  I love giving gifts, I love receiving gifts, I love thinking of gifts to give people.  Gifts y’all, are my thing.  Growing up I just assumed I was materialistic and selfish; I spent a lot of time in prayer about my obsession with gifts.  But during pre-marital counseling Coach & I both took the Five Love Languages Test to see the ways we show love and the ways we feel loved.  As the results came back it all made sense.  My top love language is gifts.  }It turned out to be Coach’s fifth love language, opposites they say, attract} 

The revelation that this was my thing and something I was good at has spurred me on to delve wholly and completely into gift-giving; not because I like “stuff” but because I love thinking of what will brighten someone’s day or finding the perfect little pick-me-up for a co-worker.  With Valentine’s Day approaching I started seriously thinking of what I could do for my co-workers and the three beautiful young women who are student teaching in my classroom.  With seven individuals I needed to think budget but meaningful.  I took myself to Bath & Body Works with a 20% off coupon compliments of my favorite friend Rebecca and settled on some good smelling foamy hand soap in a pretty red.  Once home I scoured the internet for pre-made printable gift tags and stumbled across my new favorite blog, Johnson Ferry Women’s Ministry. 

Side Bar: This Women’s Ministry out of Georgia has already encouraged me to spend time with the Ultimate Gift Giver and I cannot wait to walk and grow with them from states away. 

These sweet ladies had the perfect Valentine’s Gift Tags that referenced the everlasting love of our Father in a subtle yet charming way that I immediately loved.  I attached these tags with a raffia bow and voila!  Today they were delivered on the desks of some pretty precious people!

finished product

The Women’s Ministry would love to share the printable with you as well for any gifts you are giving out this Valentine’s Day!  Click the link to download the set of tags for free and check out the Johnson Ferry Women’s Ministry as well!  They are walking through 52-weeks of Scripture Memory that I am so excited to join with. 

As we move closer to Valentine’s Day and the onslaught of candy, roses and cheesy commercials threatens to overwhelm us all, take a moment and remember why we love and whose love we strive to embody.  Our God is so good, His love so deep and wide we cannot even begin to fathom.  However, through deep friendships, marriage and a walk with Him we can see a glimpse of the love Christ has for the church.  I pray your Valentine’s Day is a day of celebration in the love He has for you first and foremost.

I John 4:19


Love,