May you recognize and feel the love of those
who love you dearly and so completely....
Even when they may not recognize your love language
or when what they have to offer does not feel like love to you...
Open your heart to Heaven, and let HIS love in...
You are loved and are deserving of love.
My Father would come home from work in the evening on Valentines Day
My Father would come home from work in the evening on Valentines Day
a little later than usual. And he would come in the back
door instead of the front door!
Before he arrived however, there would be a very loud banging on
the front door and we would run to the door to see who it could be!
We always found a bag of Valentine goodies, chocolates, conversation hearts,
cherry flavored candies in the shape of a heart or a cupid with an arrow,
and sometimes red licorice...I loved red licorice...
There was always something special for our Mother in it,
a small heart shaped box of chocolates and a pretty card that
was obviously for someone special.
Always attached was a card revealing who the bestower
of this annual Valentine Gift was....
The Valentine Bandit!!!!
No one ever found out WHO this bandit was...at least no one
ever caught him in the act!
The amazing thing was that even when I was at college, 650 miles away,
I still received something special from
The Valentine Bandit!
(of course, I did live within 15 miles of an older sibling)
After my father passed away, 21 years ago in just a week or so,
as adult children, we still "Bandited" our
Mother on Valentines Day.
Sometimes she had many bandits, we should
have thought to take turns!
He told me that he had a bag hidden in our bedroom for Daughter*4
door instead of the front door!
Before he arrived however, there would be a very loud banging on
the front door and we would run to the door to see who it could be!
We always found a bag of Valentine goodies, chocolates, conversation hearts,
cherry flavored candies in the shape of a heart or a cupid with an arrow,
and sometimes red licorice...I loved red licorice...
There was always something special for our Mother in it,
a small heart shaped box of chocolates and a pretty card that
was obviously for someone special.
Always attached was a card revealing who the bestower
of this annual Valentine Gift was....
The Valentine Bandit!!!!
No one ever found out WHO this bandit was...at least no one
ever caught him in the act!
The amazing thing was that even when I was at college, 650 miles away,
I still received something special from
The Valentine Bandit!
(of course, I did live within 15 miles of an older sibling)
After my father passed away, 21 years ago in just a week or so,
as adult children, we still "Bandited" our
Mother on Valentines Day.
Sometimes she had many bandits, we should
have thought to take turns!
My hubby always has purchased children's valentines for our children and
signed them himself, with no promptings from me.
Most years they also received a box of conversation hearts with his valentine.
From him I always receive a funny card and a "mushy" card, he is SO CUTE!!!
This year, he has been gone for a few days and won't be home until tonight.
But the day after he left, our youngest, Daughter*4, came from her room with
a handful of Dove Chocolates. She asked me if I had put them in her bed,...
"No," I said and started to smile...."Those would be from your Father!"
I had no idea he planned that!
I climbed into bed alone that night, in the dark, and realized I had
forgotten to take my nightly pill.
When I came back to the bed and turned on my nightlight,
I saw a glimmer of shiny blue under the covers....
So, I threw back the covers and there I found at least two dozen
Dove Chocolates in our bed! I laughed and my heart warmed as I
thought of the many fun ways he expresses his love.
Each morning and night I have come cross another dove chocolate in our bed...
it's like he planned for them to be scattered and found randomly while he was away...
that way I would think of him often and miss him...which I have.
He told me that he had a bag hidden in our bedroom for Daughter*4
and I to open up this morning. Daughter*4 is gone to The State Wrestling
match tonight and tomorrow and so I get to do Valentine's Dinner with
my Mom-in-law and neice...and it will be a fun candle light dinner for us girls.
Even if Hubby and I have not celebrated Valentines Day in the same house today,
we have celebrated the love we share as a family, as a couple,
and as friends in our hearts...and for that kind of relationship
I will always be grateful!
I will always be grateful!
Hope your Day has been as Happy as Mine!
PS The picture up top is of the Valentine I made and gave to Daughter*4 today before she left on her trip. When she realized yesterday that I was going to be alone this evening, she felt bad... and I appreciate that!! ; ) Of course, this is a picmonkey'd picture...I am going to have to practice to see if I can get this look on the REAL thing! This small picture is the real thing, with just the watermark added...LOL
XOXOX
XOXOX
You've had such a sweet Dad to surprise you all every year as the Valentine Bandit. Your hubby is very cute as well, hiding chocolates in your bed. I hope you had a lovely day even though he was not at home.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Hugs,
Julia
It was a lovely day, but I am glad to have my hubby home!
DeleteThanks for visiting!
Betsy
That is such a beautiful story Betsy ! I have enjoyed reading your stories and taking a look at your photo's. Thankyou for popping in to say hello at French Blue and Peachy Pink. I too love Doni's blog and also other blogs with like minded people. Your Dad sounds like a wonderful man who has touched all of his family in a very special way.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Melanie
Thanks for stopping by, My father was a wonderful man, he touched MANY lives beyond his own family...he had a haeart valve replaced and we said it was because he loved so much, he wore out his heart...!
DeleteHugs,
Betsy
Awww, what a beautiful, romantic story. You and your family are just a great bunch of people.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words and deeds, Liz!
DeleteHeart hugs to you! Thanks for coming by!
XO,
Betsy
Hi Betsy, thank you for the sweet comment on my blog! I am now a new follower, Di from Cottage-Wishes. Love this story, my family means so much to me and the sweet memories of my parents and grandparent are the best. Di
ReplyDeleteDi, Thanks so much for coming by and following! I love your blog!
DeleteHearts,
Betsy
Hi Betsy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Valentine story and history you have !!
Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Wilma.
Wilma, Thanks you so much for your kind heart, I do have a great Valentine History!!!! As well!
DeleteI am in love with LOVE in all forms....
Hearts,
Betsy
Oh Betsy, What a sweet story of how your family shows love. Made my eyes tear up. I miss my hubby terribly when he goes hunting...after almost 34 years we still don't like being away from each other more than 2-3 days. God has so blessed our marriage. We have 4 daughters! Do you have any boys? We don't. But... I had 4 miscarriages, so we might have 4 boys in heaven!! What a fun thought.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day, sweet lady!
Just love your heart!
Hugs,
Becky
Becky,
DeleteWe also had a miscarriage before any of our children were born. The kids all said they would love to have an older brother in Heaven! We did have one boy, he is our fourth child. Daughter 4 is our fifth child. She is almost 17 though...
We hope we get to have another boy in Heaven!
Hearts,
Betsy
Loved this tale (especially as I grew up without a mother and half the time in care)I really envy these wonderful childhoods. I also loved your 'slipper tale' (posted on my knitted slipper post). My husband of 30 years always buys flowers and a gift and says wonderful things on his cards. I send kids (5) and g/kids (3)anonymous cards and the little ones sweets and pretty pants. I also bought some pretty heart shaped sandwich boxes and packed a special lunch to surprise hubby at lunch time in the office.(They were embarrassingly pink)! To this I added a card and gift.
ReplyDeleteAnnabelle, I am so happy he loves you and gives you sweet gifts now, that helps your adulthood be happy. I LOVE the heart shaped box idea....That sounds like so much fun!!!! thanks for coming by! I love your slippers idea!
Deleteheart hugs to you girl,
Betsy
What wonderful traditions and memories are being made in your family! You are very blessed!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
sandy :)
Sandy,
DeleteI love traditions. And i am so glad my children do too! Thanks for coming by!
Betsy
Hi I'm Heather! Please email me when you get a chance, I have a question about your blog! LifesABanquet1(at)gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love your Valentine Bandit tradition! How fun that you've passed it down to your family. Your husband sounds so sweet and thoughtful, who wouldn't want to find dove chocolates hidden in bed:)? Oh, I also love the card you made, it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna!
DeleteIt was nice to know he was thinking about me! This trip he went on, i didnt get the chance to sneak somehing in his suitcase, sometimes I do and it is uaually fun...
Hugs to you,
Betsy
What beautiful memories of your dad and the fun ones your husband is making!
ReplyDeleteYes,
DeleteMany great memories of Dads!
Hearts,
Betsy