Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Today I’m reminded of the greatest love story ever written, and it’s not one found in a romance novel or a movie script. It’s the one I get to live every single day. A life where I walk in communion with my Savior.

A life where I get to be best friends with the Creator of the universe.

A life where the Author loved the reader so much that He died for them.

Yesterday, Abby and I quite literally sprinted out of ministry to go buy an absurd amount of flowers for all of our Valentine’s festivities this weekend. We ran to the market, picked out armfuls of flowers, and crammed into what felt like the longest and most squished van ride of my life (I was genuinely fighting for my life not to fall out). When we finally got home, we were so excited to start making bouquets that we basically inhaled dinner in 30 seconds flat.

It felt like such a gift to create something beautiful with one of my best friends, especially something she’s so naturally gifted at. Together we made some arrangements for Beauty for Ashes and twelve little bouquets for all the boys on our squad. We passed them out to each of them, even to Manuel, one of the AIM staff who lives here on base. Watching their surprise and smiles was the sweetest thing.

Later that night, we had Galentine’s team time. We each had a secret (or not-so-secret) Valentine to bless with a gift and words of affirmation. We sat in a cozy little setup we made in our room, ate banana bread, exchanged gifts, and spoke out loud what we love about each other. It was tender and joyful and so full of light. It felt like such a clear reminder of God’s gift of friendship. He is intentional with the people He places in our lives. He doesn’t do accidental relationships.

Today, Carlee and I spent the entire day preparing for our Galentine’s Beauty for Ashes event. We bought mass amounts of flowers, candy, and everything pink and heart-shaped. What I originally dreaded, what I assumed would feel stressful and overwhelming, turned into something so special. The whole day was filled with laughter, good conversations, and the simple joy of pouring into each other.

At one point, we decided to make a few extra bouquets and pass them out as we walked. We stopped at a coffee shop to rest and plan our next to-do list items. Sitting there, we arranged little bundles of flowers and realized we had the perfect amount to give one to each woman in the shop, with one extra. We walked around handing them out. The reactions were priceless. Hugs. Smiles. One woman even asked to take a picture with me, both of us holding our flowers. We could barely hold a conversation, but the gesture alone spoke enough. It felt like such a beautiful glimpse of God’s heart for connection, and how love doesn’t always need many words to be understood. We had one larger bouquet left and decided to give it to the two men who usually work at the shop. They were visibly surprised but so grateful. About twenty minutes later, they came back to our table and handed us strawberry chocolate crepes. Kindness was multiplied in such a thoughtful way.

We ended the night with a Valentine’s dinner. The guys on our squad escorted us into the main room, which they had decorated with candles, flowers, and everything pink. They served us dinner and surprised us with a rom-com movie night. It was thoughtful, joyful, undeserved, and perfect.

And all day long, I couldn’t shake this thought: God is constantly leaving us love letters.

In sprinted flower runs.

In squished van rides.

In banana bread and secret affirmations.

In coffee shop hugs and unexpected crepes.

In friendships that feel like home.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance. It’s about remembering that we are already secure in the greatest love story ever written. The Author wrote Himself into the story for us.

And somehow, in the middle of bouquets and laughter and pink decorations, I felt Him smiling.

Happy Valentine’s day! Thank you Jesus for loving us first.