“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13.4-8
This beautiful couple showed me and my siblings how it looks like to love one another. Unconditionally.
Today, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, and knowing what it’s all about, I can’t help but think of my parents who were more than just attracted to each other. As they grew in their marriage, they learned to go beyond feelings and took the next step of loving each other unconditionally. They learned how to think of each other and serve one another. There is no such thing as a perfect marriage as we all get selfish.
But year after year, I witnessed their marriage beautifully blossom. Especially, sometime after my Dad had a severe stroke. Whereas Dad had always been the provider and leader of the home, now he needed my mom to care for him in every way (big and small). Man, did my mom step it up. It was then I personally saw the diamond of God’s love shining in their marriage from a whole new angle. As they both learned to continue to show unconditional love to each other.
Their new “norm” could’ve broken their marriage. Instead, it made their marriage stronger and continued to grow for 64 years! Despite the difficulty of my Dad having to recover from his stroke, my Mom and Dad were a picture of unconditional love between a husband and a wife. What a beautiful display of God’s love and common grace to all men and women!
In sickness and in health, till death do us part. They truly lived it. My hope and prayer is to emulate their example in my marriage. So blessed and thankful for my parents as I have lived to see what true romantic Valentines really look like!
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