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So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
John 16:22 ESV

I never expected to see my Valentine again. It had been eleven years since he last held me in his embrace. Eleven years since he smiled his broad smile and laughed that deep hearty laugh.

Eleven years of the struggles and joys of raising four boys on my own with the Lord’s help.

Valentines Days would pass. And always with the joy of the little ones to celebrate love with.

In that first year, Tom still joined me for Valentines Day. I saw him so often in my dreams that I still felt married to him. That feeling passed as the life of a single mom took hold, and I spent the coming decade chasing these boys as though I had a tiger by the tail.

And through my hectic whirlwind of a life, I took solace in the surprises along every turn in this purposeful journey. I kept the love for my Valentine in my heart but moved forward with the notion that I had grieved him as much as possible.

Until recently.

Out of the blue, a dream. There we were, husband and wife again, socializing side-by-side at a party. It felt like nothing had changed. We were as we were eleven years ago, and for the moment, I had no recollection of his death, of the loss, of the years of walking it alone for the boys’ sakes.

And then, I reached out my arms and hugged him, pulling his head close to my head and whispering in his ear: I never want to lose you again. I never EVER want to lose you again.

I awoke and remembered where I was. Lord, I went through this already! I stopped dreaming about Tom years ago. Why now?

Because it’s Me you need to accept. Your next healing is to claim it. You are not alone.

Through tears, I grieved the losses of this past year. Four family members in two months last fall. And in a moment, eleven years after my husband went home, when my boys are older and I now have time for me to let the tears slip, I wept. I cried healing tears until I could say… death, where is your victory and death, where is your sting?

That was weeks ago. I’ve since claimed Adoni as my Lord Valentine.

On this day, sister, Who is your Valentine?

Adoni,

Be the Valentine for my precious sisters. Help each of them step forward in life with Your grace. Be with her as she welcomes Your love in her heart. Amen.