Valentine’s Day

My cousin Kathy graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Library Science.  She then went on to work for many years as a librarian.  Kathy has always been a bit of a shy person, which sometimes got in the way of starting a new relationship. 

It was at the library where Kathy was working that Jim first noticed her.  Since she was tall, slender, blond, and quite beautiful, Kathy wasn’t hard to miss.  Desperate to get to know her, Jim tried to strike up a conversation.  Unfortunately, this usually came out awkwardly because Jim was also on the shy side. 

Jim kept checking out books from the library, but he would only do so if Kathy was working at the counter.  Eventually he found a pathway to having a conversation with the introverted but exquisite young lady before him.  Rather than checking out the manuals and books on engineering he was prone to get, he started to ask her for recommendations.  Kathy picked out some interesting books for him which were far different from his usual, more practical line of reading.  Later he would discuss the books with her and soon they were dating. 

After about two years of dating, Jim showed up one day at the library and started rummaging through Kathy’s desk.  She asked him what he was looking for, but he didn’t answer.  Finally, he unearthed one of the rubber stamps Kathy used to identify reference books.  Jim said, “I have been looking for an engagement ring, but I can’t seem to find the right one.  I want you to marry me so this will have to do for the time being.” 

Taking her hand in his, he firmly stamped the back of her hand with the words, “Not for Circulation.”  They married shortly afterwards and remain so almost 50 years later. 

Valentine’s Day presents an opportunity to broaden how we understand and celebrate love.  Beyond romantic relationships, this day invites us to recognize the diverse bonds that sustain our daily lives. Valentine’s Day highlights values and choices we make that build bonds of respect, care, and intimacy.  May this Valentine’s Day find you loved, but above all, at peace. 

My prayer this week is that you will be able to celebrate the love in your life, and may it sustain you when times get hard and the world gets noisy.  Remember that true love doesn’t shout; it breathes with you.    

With love,

Pastor Mike Howard