A Thank You for Valentines Day

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Well for Valentine's Day it seemed fitting that I write this long-overdue post - a thank you to my husband; who taught me that this passage of scripture is in fact achievable. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 was read at our wedding and although I thought it was beautiful, it also seemed impossible. However, through five years of dating, 10 years of marriage, 2 children, 2 homes, careers and a journey through mental illness my husband, the man God created just for me, has shown me in so many ways what this passage looks like when it is lived out.
 During the darkness of depression my husband faced a wife each day that:

• would spend twelve to fourteen hours each day locked in a bedroom sleeping
• showed little interest in her children
• could not hold a conversation
• was irritable and short-tempered 
• when awake preferred reading or computer games over being with the family
• had no motivation to make a meal or do anything else around the house 
• saw no reason for living and was often highly suicidal

Yet despite all of that negativity, my incredible husband was never rude nor self-seeking. He believed in the core of his being that I would heal, that the wife he married would return.

His patience will always awe me. For nearly two-years he walked along side me - supporting me, loving me. He always treated me with kindness and always put my interest, my health and our family before his needs. 

I know he often felt so lonely; desperately wanting the laughter and companionship to return to our home. But, he never complained, never kept a record of wrongs. He took care of what needed to be done with our home and children and then supported me in whatever way he could.

I got to see how protective he was of me - the true depths of his love. My safety, my life, was his greatest concern. After the suicide attempt he refused to allow me near my medications, never willing to take that risk again. When I was discharged from the hospital while still suicidal he immediately left work, raced to the hospital and while driving had organized a meeting with the head of psychiatry. He fought for over an hour to have me readmitted. 

People often would tell him that they were shocked by his support or that most husbands would have left by now. He would always respond along the lines of, "No way, I'm doing what is right, what is love". He was never boastful to me or others about his sacrifices - they were simply acts of love that did not need to be recognized - he kept no record of wrongs.


He has always persevered, always trusted, always hoped that together we would reach the point of healing. We are now here and how sweet it is!

So dear husband of mine, thank you. Thank you for loving me the way God intended, for being everything that love is, during such a difficult time. I love you! Happy Valentines Day.