How do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways...

warning: this is long and somewhat mushy. proceed with caution.....

I have never been a super mushy type. My sisters and I always "ewwed" whenever anyone kissed on movies, or in real life (even worse!), and I must admit, part of me still feels that way. I have come to love Valentine's Day because I have the best companion that I could ever ask for. John is absolutely amazing to me, and for me. He even sent me the BEST valentine's email ever late last night. Let's just say that Hello Kitty was involved. It was AWESOME! He works SO hard at his full-time job so that I can stay home with Dean and be a full-time mother. He then goes to school 3 nights a week, often without eating dinner first, just to come home, help me bathe Dean, get him ready for bed, then he will finally eat something (after 7pm), and then spend a little time with me, just to stay up until at least midnight every night working on homework. I don't know how he does everything that he does, but I know he does it because he loves Dean and I. We could not have a better husband/dad.

I was going through my mission journal earlier this month looking for something specific for a relief society lesson I'm teaching on the 4th Sunday, which I didn't find, but I was amazed how many wonderful things I had written about "Elder Van Orman." Luckily I got into the habit of writing daily in my journal during the latter part of my mission when I was really struggling with my health problems (gallbladder). I was amazed, once again, how the exact day that my health went kaput for the last time, there was a 3-way emergency transfer and John ended up being transferred to be my district leader. We had already served together in a previous area and had grown from literally hating each other's guts to being good friends. I counted as I re-read through parts of my journal, and John gave me a blessing no less than 3 times during my mission, each one filled with compassion and love (in an appropriate missionary way) and concern for my well-being. During our nightly follow-ups, I would often just cry and cry because I was so frustrated that I was sick. At this point in time my cute greenie, who luckily was Portuguese and therefore spoke the language better than I did, was so anxious to do the work that we would go to any appointments we already had and she would basically teach everything. I would kick her feet when the pain became unbearable, and she would then wrap-up, make another appointment, and then we'd go home where I'd writhe in pain on my bed.

I was also so concerned about reporting our numbers during our weekly district meetings. We usually had somewhere between 2-5 lessons, and sadly, I don't know if it would have been better if we were out proselyting. John was so kind to us that he simply stated the lessons taught by the district as a whole, without specifying which companionship taught how many lessons. He always would tell me that Heavenly Father's Plan is perfect, which is something that I have tried to remember every single day since he told me that for the first time. I learned so much from his example as a missionary and I am so thankful for that wonderful foundation of our relationship.

As we have been adjusting to having Dean in our lives, I must admit that I don't know if I've ever been as in love with John as I am now. It gets better and better every day, but there's just something about seeing him being a father that I love so much. He is the cutest, and best, dad that Dean could ever hope for. He tickles him, plays with him, snuggles him, kisses all over him (we both do plenty of that), and helps him learn about wonderful things. He is so considerate to me and will often sit with Dean for as long as he can in the morning so I can get a little extra rest and he almost always changes that first morning diaper which is almost always poopy. :) Nobody can make Dean laugh like John can. We are so blessed to have such a righteous Priesthood holder in our family and are so thankful for all that you do for Dean and I! Thank you for thinking I am the most beautiful woman in the world even though on most days I am still wearing pj's and am covered in spit up when you come home. We love you! Thanks for being our Valentine!