To the days like today when memories come in like a flood—where the absence stings just a little louder and reminds me of how precious life is: Valentines Day, along with many other holidays, is an anomaly for a widow. It can be hard to walk through the day without thinking of the love you once had, the love you still have and the love that one day may be again. My mind has been racing today. It’s such a beautiful day for so many and I truly am joyful when I see the posts and actions of that love put out on display. Yet, I can’t help but feel the confusion that today brings.

I have learned more about love this past year than in the years before. Before, this day was just another day to say “I love you.” It was like a budding flower on a cold day; you notice it, but don’t stop to value its beauty and uniqueness. You keep moving on as if it will be there in its same stance tomorrow.

Love is fragile, love can be painful, and the lack of feeling love can be isolating. But love is also so very powerful. Love comes in many different forms—a beautiful sunrise in the morning, the sound of your children’s laughter, a card of encouragement from a friend, a hug from your father, a kind text, a beautiful song that randomly comes on just at the right moment, a genuine smile from a stranger. Though I do not tangibly hold the love in my arms today, I’m reminded that love is so much more than tangible. God showers his love on us in the most unique ways. We must simply stop and take value in it.

1 Corinthians 13 talks about love in such an incredible way:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth….love endures ALL things.”

Love is not a fragmented emotion that comes and goes. Love is faithful and love stands strong through all things. Love reminds us that there is something greater than ourselves—something far beyond our understanding or our reach—not just the amazing romantic love, but the love that exists in the very atmosphere of who we are and how God created us to be. He is that love.

William Shakespeare wrote “give sorrow words.” I do that quite often, but I also want to give love words as well. So If I live to be 100 minus 1, I will speak love into others as much as I possibly can. Days like today remind me to recognize not only what I’ve been given but what I can give—love.

Today let us celebrate the love we lost, the love we gain, the love we don’t understand, the love we can tangibly hold and most importantly, the love of the One who will carry us into eternity.