Quite a while ago, I read about another woman writing daily love notes for her husband. I thought this was a sweet idea, and wanted to start doing that for you, too, sometimes. As you know, I haven’t done a single one. I told myself last night that I had no excuse for not doing one for you today, but, still, it remains undone. At the computer, though, I manage to find time and inspiration. And since so many of our love letters are electronic, I figure one more won’t matter. I can’t spray it with perfume, but, if you want, I’ll sit on your lap while you read it, and I’ll be sure to dab a bit of scent on my neck before I do.

I know I give you such grief sometimes and run you ragged with my whining and complaining about your hours, your weekends away, your constantly buzzing Blackberry. Please realize that it is not so much that I need a break and lament you not being here to pitch in and help with taking the kids hither and dither or to allow me to go to the grocery store in peace but rather that I just really miss you. I could have you home all the time. I would put you to work, but I would enjoy your company too. And I know that you would be here too, if you could. I do appreciate the work you do for us, for me, in trying to give us a wonderful life. I am thankful that you don’t dawdle at work or find distractions to keep you from home a minute longer than necessary. I love that you call me the minute you leave the office to tell me you are on the way, and that you would talk to me the entire drive if I didn’t brush you off with having to attend to something else, although never something more important.

I know that I fail you and don’t often have a hot meal, a clean home and cheerful children ready to great you when you come in the door. Instead you find a tired wife, cold food in the fridge, and children madly tearing through the house. You are even left to forage for clean laundry, sometimes only to discover there is none to be found. And you manage, uncomplaining, to make do with whatever you have. Thank you.

And thank you for supporting me, encouraging me, and challenging me. I am blessed to have found a man smart enough to keep me on my toes, strong enough to keep me going, and brave enough to dare me to be the best I can be. And through it all you make me laugh.

Life with you is a slice of Eden. Happy Valentine’s Day.