I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the name Valentine comes from the Latin word for ‘worthy.’ The actual Saint Valentine that we celebrate on February 14 was a Christian martyr, but not a patron saint of love, marriage or anything else that might be romantically connected to his name. But the word ‘worthy’ describes someone of great value: your spouse. A worthy person is someone we can spend the rest of our lives loving and admiring. That special someone is a person we can devote ourselves to and be loyal to as long as we live. Once we find the one with whom we will raise our children and dedicate our lives to serving, we are able to practice the worthiest love of all: unconditional love. It is in this sacred space of marriage that we find ourselves enshrined in security that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. How fortunate are those who recognize the value of marriage and give themselves the opportunity to truly love. Have you actually thought of the great benefits of marriage? What are they?

1. You can learn to love unconditionally
2. You can safely bring children into the world
3. You can create the core unit of measure in society: the family
4. You can plan and build a future with those you can count on

Make this Valentine’s Day very special in your marriage by transcending the cheap surface images and distractions. Focus instead on the internal and external commitments to your spouse. Open your heart and let words of love, so seldom heard, pass your lips to the one person in your life who is more special than anyone else in the world. Tell them how deeply you love them. Tell them how deeply you admire them and respect them. Gaze into their eyes with their hands in yours as the liquid love flows from your heart to theirs. Give only a little token to represent your hearts feelings. Don’t overwhelm them with material examples of your love which may distract from the meaning and purity of what is in your heart. Say beautiful things to your spouse that will remain forever in their heart’s memory. Make this Valentine’s Day very special for your marriage by making it the least of all days compared to all future days. Let Valentine’s Day be the template for every day of your lives together. Why wait another whole year to be the ultimate lover? Make every single day a more loving day than the day before. You and your spouse are blessed beyond imagination. Express gratitude to the Creator of Love itself and then you will know that Love forever, as you should. Have a blessed and joyous Valentine’s Day.