LOVE, ROSES AND VALENTINE’S DAY

by: Norberto G. Betita

Taken during our Temple sealing at the Manila
Philippines Temple

It’s Valentine’s Day--- a day of exchange of tokens of love and affection. This is a day of love and romance. Its history is legendary and does not only involve one but several persons. Yet whatever the story behind the celebrated feast, it is good enough for lovers, friends, and families to have a good time together.

We should have much time to celebrate the day, but my wife and I choose to have a valentine laundry date giving us a little more time to talk about experiences of our 40 years of loving relationship and remembering the wonderful memories of long years of challenges. In our joint reflections on this day of love we are reminded that each child that came into our marital life was an increasing challenge and as each grew in years the struggles were magnified.  Our conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints early in our marriage had indeed made our marital journey a lot more meaningful as we understand that trials and tribulations are but part of our mortal probation. We have been directed to a clearer perspective of the future of our children and family. The gospel of Jesus Christ had become a beacon of hope along the path of mortality.

When we were sealed as a family for time and eternity our love for each other as husband and wife and our children even increased with meaningful understanding of the infinite worth of our marital and family relationships. Such love best understood became the healing balm for the pains from sorrow and distress; and the shield against the fiery darts of the adversary.  

We thought that a tender hug and sweet kisses in early dawn would be enough for the day as it is every passing day, but we realized while doing the laundry that for a long time we have never had a date with our grandchildren, hence we planned and decided to have them for a dinner date together with their parents. It’s nice to have a wonderful time together and especially to conclude the day with the usual family scripture study and family prayer.  

I am not a poet, neither am a writer.  But as a token of my everlasting love to my dearly beloved Letty and in exchange of her expressions of tenderness, I penned these lines:

Love, Roses and Valentine’s Day

Beautiful roses fill flowers stall

On this day of hearts prices command

Wonderful bouquets arranged for all

Lovers and friends ever willing to hand

This symbol of love on Valentine’s Day

Red roses express fondness and affection

At commercial aisles in abundant display

For everyone to choose a gift of devotion

Yet such a symbol can’t ever endure

For in a day or two the flower fades

Love is a feeling that’s forever pure

Mutual emotions for both who gives

Love is infinite, love is divine

Cherished not in one celebration

Expressions of love provides daily sunshine

A touch of the hand convey adoration

Thousands of roses never can replace

The daily doses of sincere tenderness

Not a Valentine date can take the place

The unvarying measure of kindness

For those who love in warmth transmit

Make Valentine’s Day a constant enjoyment

Your love to a dear one each day submit

Earnest appreciation a delightful enchantment

To the one I love, I give my all

My heart so full of endless devotion

Each day a hug and kiss befall

Fostering love towards eternal exaltation

To my dearest wife, children, grandchildren and friends, happy Valentine's Day!!!