Valentines, Motown, Jesus.

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My kinda Valentine: sandy.

As far as I remember, Spouse and I haven't really gone overboard for Valentine's Day. He's not really the oogly- googly type and all I see is dollar $ign$. :) I'd rather get unprompted Oakley or Adidas paraphernalia  on a random Tuesday or Bruce Springsteen's birthday- he was Born in the USA on September 23, 1949, Kids- than candy I don't need on February 14th.
(Not an advertisement, by the way, that's just what came out of my fingers.)

It's funny now, though, because my girls care about it. They like to see that Daddy romances Mom and Maddy-ever the wife-in-training- would likely express great disappointment if Spouse were to blow it off completely.

Their investment is mostly commercial, for sure; we've spent very little discussion time on historical significance. I should probably do that--if nothing more than for a little cultural literacy. I read that the martyred saint would allow soldiers to marry. I'm pretty sure Geoffrey Chaucer (I know you are picturing Paul Bettany right now.) was the one to bring some romance to what before was a day of remembrance to the saint. I'm totally talking out of my bum here, so feel free to correct me. Any of you actually good homeschool mom/teacher types know a good website for reputable info?

Anyhow, it is crazy that with very little television, they've picked up on the traditions of the holiday.
I admit, Spouse and I are quick to label holidays like this "Hallmark Days" and not participating, but it is important to use these opportunities as talking points with our not-so-little girls who are watching our marriage and no doubt dreaming of a One Day. I shudder.

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So, as we are struggling through the construction of our Valentines Boxes for the parties, we can crank up some Motown Radio on Pandora and chat it up. Motown offers great, even biblical talking points on our current holiday season.

• What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? Jimmy Ruffin. 
• Who are the unloved in our world? The forgotten? What can we do? 
• "Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
• Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
• R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Aretha Franklin
• "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." Colossians 3:20
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• "For I am convinced that neither life nor death, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 (This one was too easy. Too easy.)
• Tracks of My Tears, Smokey Robinson
• "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4
• Wonderful World, Sam Cooke
• Remember this one: Don't much about history, don't know much biology...
• "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Alright, go ahead. Get your Motown jam on.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 Vintage Baseball Valentines. I dont' know the source, but it is too cute.
Happy Valentine's Day to a sweet young man, JB in PC. I would watch baseball for you.