Sorry For Your Loss

I believe Valentine's Day is another made-up holiday like Grandparents Day, just so Hallmark can find a reason to sell cards all year long. If you have ever noticed there is some type of holiday each and every month.

My favorites are Sisters' Day, Friendship Day and Sweetest Day. Giving a card for Mother's Day seems like a cheap way out. Any woman who has pushed an 8 lb football out of a hole that size deserves more than a cheesy $3 card! Then the next month we have to turn around and celebrate the father's who held their hands. It makes no sense.

We all know the money maker falls in the month of December. The only one who should be getting a card on Christmas is Jesus. It was his birthday after all. So why are we sending cards to everyone we know?

I admit that I have always bought into the card sending frenzy, however I don't participate in things like Earth Day, because they are just ridiculous. There are, however, 4 holidays that I do expect a card from my husband - 1) My birthday, 2) Mother's Day (help our son), 3) Our Anniversary and 4) Valentine's Day. We don't usually exchange gifts, so a card isn't asking too much.

I'm the thoughtful type. I'll read hundreds of cards in the store and buy it weeks in advance. My husband is the exact opposite. When we woke up this morning I asked Nate if he would like his card now. He said he'd rather wait until tonight (which is code for I haven't bought you one yet). So this evening he brought home his card laughing. Let me show you the difference in our love:

My card:"I'm glad you're by my side. When I think of all we've been through, the fun times and the not-so-fun...when I think of all the dreams we've chased and have and haven't caught...when I think of all the ways that we've been blessed...I know one thing makes all the difference in my life - that you're here sharing it with me. Happy Valentine's Day."

Nate's card: "I want to take this opportunity to thank my entire support group...which just happens to be you!"

Inside the card Nate wrote: "It's not exactly a Valentine's card, but that is what I get for waiting until the last minute to stop at a grocery store on my way home. It was either this or a 'sorry for your loss card'. I figured you'd rather still have me."

He preceded to tell me that there was some was some 98 year old man in there buying roses and that he took his blood pressure first. Nate thinks he was making sure he could take his Viagra in case he got lucky tonight. I told Nate I hope he didn't bother taking his blood pressure.