Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Since today is Valentine’s Day, I invited my husband to share his favorite Valentine’s Day memory. This story comes from earlier in our marriage, but the lessons have stayed with us through more than five decades together.

By Harry Lucenay

Good Intentions and the Realities of Marriage

February 13 fell on a Friday. All week, the thought of Valentine’s Day had tugged at my conscience. I meant to stop and buy Nancy a card. I planned to pick up something special. But intentions kept getting crowded out by responsibilities.

As I headed out the office door toward the funeral home that afternoon, I asked my secretary to remind me to buy a Valentine’s card. That would be my top priority. She smiled with a knowing sparkle but said nothing. I didn’t realize she was guarding a secret. I didn’t even know there was a secret.

A Valentine’s Day Marriage Surprise

After the graveside service, I sat in the funeral director’s car, listening, once again, to advice about handling some church matter. Then I noticed a late-model car with two striking women inside, creeping along the back of the parking lot. They pulled alongside us. One rolled down her window, leaned over, and slipped an envelope to me.

Inside was a note.

The woman handing me the note was my wife, grinning with delight. Her accomplice, our long-time babysitter, left Nancy with me and drove off toward our house to take care of our three young children. The plot was officially underway.

Stalling for Time and Searching for a Valentine’s Card

As we slid into my car, my mind went into overdrive. I needed to pack. My wife assured me she’d taken care of that, and the luggage was already in the trunk. I knew how much she loved cards, and I knew, without question, that I’d failed. My words were a stalling tactic.

“What about Mr. Barr?” I asked, referring to a quail hunting trip planned for Saturday morning. Don’t misunderstand me. A night away with Nancy sounded far better than trudging through a field with Mr. Barr. Still, I needed an excuse—any excuse—to buy time and maybe a card.

Nancy calmly informed me she’d already taken care of everything.

I kept talking ninety miles an hour, hoping speed might create opportunity. Somehow, I convinced her to let me stop by my office “just for a minute.” Unknown to me, she’d already alerted my staff and church leadership. There was nothing left to do. Still, we stopped. I don’t know what I imagined. Perhaps a hidden stash of Valentine’s cards would miraculously appear in my desk drawer.

Seven Dollars, No Card, and a Lesson in Marriage Creativity

I exited empty-handed. My wallet held exactly seven dollars. No card. No gift and no plan.

As we headed toward Jackson, Mississippi, my nerves found an outlet. I rambled about funerals. How, over the years, funeral home staff had pinned so many carnations on my lapel that I’d grown to despise them. Carnations smelled like grief. They reminded me of burial services and final prayers.

We checked into the hotel. Waiting in the room was a bouquet of carnations.

Foot. In. Mouth.

At dinner, I searched for an excuse to stop at a drugstore, but Nancy stayed close, stuck to me like a burr on my hunting jacket. I had no freedom. My last attempt to secure a Valentine’s card quietly died.

Late-Night Inspiration and a Valentine’s Day Memory

Later that night, inspiration finally struck. If I couldn’t buy a card, I’d make one.

After Nancy fell asleep, I slipped her purse open, fished out her lipstick, and tiptoed to the bathroom. I wrote my Valentine’s message on the mirror. Writing on glass does no kindness to a tube of lipstick, but it was the best I could do. My card was neither store-bought nor polished. But at last, I had a card.

Creativity sparks a marriage. Thinking outside the box gives birth to the unexpected. You don’t need to overspend. The cost of the above was covered by several months of saving little-by-little. Use your imagination to create healthy surprises for your situation. Your efforts could ignite a little fun in your marriage journey.

“Relish life with the spouse you love each and every day.” (Ecclesiastes 9:9 MSG)

A Valentine’s Day Marriage Story: How Creativity and Commitment Keep Love Fun by @HarryLucen90448 on @NancyLucenay Share on X

Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you! What special Valentine memories or ideas do you have? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the Comments box at the bottom of the page. (If you don’t see the Comments box, click Read More and scroll down.)