Valentine's Day

So, I frequently tell people (Sarah) how much it drives me crazy to see things such as this on Facebook, blogs, etc:


"Shnookums, I'm so happy that you are the sweetest little love-bug that I've ever smooched."


or


"Happy Anniversary lover-baby-google-bunches!  I hope to look in to your dreamy eyes for eternity!!!"


or


"I have the hottest husband/boyfriend/fiancé!  I can't wait to kiss him later!! *giggle giggle*"


It seems to me, to do such twitterpated blubbering in front of any creepy and insincere eyes completely cheapens the emotion of love.  Not only that, but I was always one of those folks that felt uncomfortable when others were lovingly-blubbering between each other. Yes, I know, that's MY problem.  If you don't want to hear it, stop reading.  Otherwise, humor me and continue... it will get better, I promise.


So am I going to write a post on Valentine's Day and not say anything about my wife?  No.  In fact, quite the opposite.  For one thing, Valentine's day is about selflessness, and me holding back from telling the world how much my wife means to me is selfish.  Maybe marriage has made me softer.  Maybe my wife has broken my manly shell.  Maybe I have seen the light... I don't know.  Or, maybe it's okay to tell others how much someone means to you every once and a while.  So here it goes...


My heart melts when I wake up in the middle of the night to Sarah wrapping her arms around me.  I'm nearly overcome when I come home to her and see the genuine (always so genuine!) smile that she has to greet me with.  My heart skips a beat when I see her from a distance and realize for the billionth time that she is all mine.  In fact, let me share with you a story.


Today I was walking out to the workout track here at Maxwell Air Force Base with a bunch of flight-mates.  Suddenly a silver car drives by and - in a matter of a few milliseconds - the following thoughts raced through my mind:


Wow, that's a pretty woman driving that pretty car -- Crap!! Zach, you're married and can't think like that anymore -- Oh wait!! -- That's my beautiful wife!  Yes!  Zach, you are married and you CAN think like that!


One of the other guys said, "that girl was smiling lots, who's girl is it?"


Proudly (oh, so proudly) I say rather unintentionally-dreamy, "Mine."


That is just one moment out of a dozen I experience every day with Sarah.  Perhaps the thing I love most about my sweet wife is just knowing how lucky I am to have her.  I know it's cliché, but she is my other half. No, I take that back, she is my other three-fourths!  My life is so much better with her in it.  I will always be grateful for her courage in following me into the wild blue yonder, just so she could be with me forever.  I will always be grateful for her care.  To be blunt - but honest - I will always be grateful for how hot she is too (talk about a self-esteem boost - she picked me!!).


There you have it folks... I've done it.  I've confessed to the world how much I love my wife.  I've shared something special with the masses.  That mass of people could include friends, loved-ones, enemies, and creepy stalker people. But let's be honest, 75% of the reason I wrote this post was for Sarah, 20% for me, and maybe 5% for you.  If that offends you, then you might really be offended by this:  I don't love you nearly as much as I love her.


To all those people that have someone, share with THEM how much you love them.  If the most romantic thing you do today is write on Facebook: "I love my Bear-Bear so so so much I could spit!" - shame on you.


To all those people that don't have someone, let the love-struck fools in the world blubber a little.  I promise, you have the stomach for it even if you don't want to admit it.  Some day it will be your turn and you will be a teency bit ashamed to admit that it's kinda fun. ;)


-the husband