Happy Valentine's Day

Every time I've been out grocery/household shopping in the last few weeks, I've been amazed by the overwhelming amount of Valentine's themed heart-and-chocolates merchandise. Maybe it's because I was homeschooled and didn't have an annual "sweetheart," but Valentine's Day is really not a big deal to me. I woke this morning to my puppy Kona whining loudly, and the most horrid smell coming from his kennel. Doggy diarrhea is NOT a fun way to start your day! When I returned inside after scrubbing Kona's kennel, I found a card from my husband on the kitchen counter. The Hallmark-generated pictures and text were cute, but what really made me smile was my husband's notation: "Week 2 of Kona's Cone of Shame. Scot & Elissa sick at home." Interpretation: Kona was neutered and dew-clawed nearly two weeks ago, and the healing process requires bandages and an Elizabethean collar along with no exercise. How can you ask a 6-month old lab to cooperate? To say he's been stir-crazy is to put it nicely. Additionally, Scot and I have been sick for several days. We spent the weekend watching movies, playing games, and basically being too weak, dizzy, and overall miserable to get up off the couch. Today isn't much better, but I have to make an effort at homework. So why do I share all this? Well, it's Valentine's Day. A day where we focus on love, acknowledge love, appreciate love, and recommit to love. My husband's notation made me smile because it's these real, everyday situations - the dog going crazy, us sick as can be - that present the opportunity for love to really shine. Neither Scot nor I have been at our best this weekend, and yet we both can honestly say we love each other more today than we ever have. Happy Valentine's Day to each of you, and here's to love spreading across the real, everyday moments in your life!