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Happy Valentine's Day!

We didn't quite know what to expect for our first "Fet Saint Valenteen", but had a really nice day. My first year English class wanted to know if it was OK for Christians to celebrate Valentine's Day. After I asked them what most people do for Valentine's Day, I assured them that wishing pretty girls a happy day and kissing your mother was acceptable behavior for Christians. We gave each of our guys a heart lolli-pop and a small box of pink NERDS, neither of which they had seen before. Immediately upon receiving their treasures, the students wrote their wives and girlfriend's names on the boxes, and tucked them away for "perfect" Valentine's presents. They were so excited we helped them impress their wives :)

Matt and I gathered up all of our unopened Valentine cards and headed off for our first solo date since moving here! It's been SUCH a busy week, and it was wonderful to sit outside and be served fish and rice and listen to a small street band. We opened our cards and were thankful for friends and family, and recounted each Valentine's Day we have had together...our first when I was in Haiti and Matt was in Kentucky: mailed cards and a package full of candy and rose petals. Our second Valentine's Day: sitting at Starbucks and exchanging gifts...both giving each other the rings that we would soon exchange at our wedding. Our third, (this is sad) we cannot remember for the life of us, and our fourth we were snowed into our tiny apartment in Canada while studying French, 30 inches of snow ruining our dinner plans.

He's brought us a long long way, and we are so grateful to have truly been best friends for 5 years.

Might a holiday that may seem silly and trite always remind us of how dear friends and family are, and that it is because GOD SO LOVED that we all have such great hope.

Love you each!