Our Look at Romantic Love Posted by Ashleigh Slater on February 12, 2008

Valentine's Day. For some women, it's highly-anticipated. For others, dreaded. I recently heard both ends of the spectrum while listening to the podcast, The Boundless Show. While host Lisa Anderson shared her love for the holiday even as a single woman, panelist Candice Watters discussed how she hated it for a season before getting married.

At my house, Valentine's Day is an excuse for little luxuries. A meal of Indian food from one of my favorite local restaurants and the time to take a very long, relaxing bath while Ted watches the kids. And although my husband has informed me that "Men don't care about Valentine's Day"—meaning he doesn't want anything—I am planning on doing little things to make the day special for our two daughters. My mom always made the day stand out for me and my sisters and I want to pass that on to my girls. To help me, I recently came across an article from our regular contributor Arlene Pellicane called "A Toddler Valentine." She has some fun, easy ideas I may try out this year.

When it comes to this week's articles on Ungrind, we have two pieces that focus on romantic love in honor of Valentine's Day. The first is from regular contributor Lynette Kittle. Her article "Finding Love in Unusual Places" is an encouraging, faith-filled collection of real-life accounts of how women met their husbands through unusual circumstances. It's intended to remind those of you who are still waiting, praying, and preparing for marriage that God isn't limited in how He brings couples together.

I penned our second article, "Starve a Crush." This piece was sparked by an article I read last Fall in Parents Magazine. In "Secret Mommy Crushes," the popular parenting magazine encouraged married women such as myself to harbor crushes on men other than their husbands. Let's just say this didn't sit well with me. If you haven't already read my response to this line of thinking, you can read it here.

So what about you? What are your plans for this holiday, if any? Also, share your thoughts on this week's articles. I'd love to hear what you have to say about what we've published.

Comments

[Suzanne]

Ashleigh,

Great articles this week! I found both of them encouraging. Even though I am single, I still relate with the need to starve crushes. In general, when God does not seem to be bringing two people together, crushes are a waste of time and emotional energy. I am currently starving a "crush" that falls in this category. Thanks for the timely encouragement!

[Kelly]

"Finding Love in Unusual Places" was a refreshing article for me to read. And I wanted to add that sometimes God uses disasters to rescue us as well.

My story is a bit opposite: I was in a relationship that wasn't good for me but didn't realise it. I came down with glandular fever - it took a huge toll on my life (9 months!) but because I was so ill, I went home to live with my parents. That time with them showed me clearly that the relationship I was in was NOT God's will for me.

Now I'm praying for the next big event which will bring my husband to me. ;)

[Ashleigh Kittle Slater]

Kelly, thanks so much for sharing your story with us. I think you make a great point: God can use unusual circumstances in a number of ways in our lives when it comes to love. Just reading your comment left me reflecting on my own life and how God used certain undesirable life events to bring me to the place where I met my husband.

I'll be praying with you! :-)

[Amanda Cate]

I loved the article "Finding Love in Unusual Places." Overall, it reminded me of God's faithfulness in the difficult times of life. As I experience the struggles and setbacks life is sending my way, I want to focus on God's ability to turn the bad into good. This article was a timely swift kick in the behind to remind me that life may not always be perfect but that we can choose to live it with or without God at our side. I know which path I want to take. Thanks, Mrs. Kittle for sending out that sos for me to have "merry heart." Happy Valentines.

[Ashley Weis]

Hey Ashleigh, great article on crushes. I saw that article in Parenting and wanted to spit. What on earth???