"Roses are red, violets are blue..." My husband writes poetry... who knew?

Every year since we've been married, Scott has given me flowers for Valentine's --and I LOVE flowers!! This year, however, we already had some lovely roses from left over from a meeting earlier in the month gracing our home, and another bouquet that Scott picked up for a family gathering at our house a week or so ago. Also, I wanted to save a little money, and Valentine's flowers are such a gouge... So, I asked him for a favor this Valentine's. In lieu of flowers this year, I would love the gift of a clean bathroom, and a little something written from him to me. Didn't have to be poetry of course, but... o.k. I was hoping. Well, I'm sure that he was thinking, "Man, if I could just get the flowers and be done with it!" But, I'm a tricky lover, you know? Always keeping him on his toes! So on Valentine's morning, under my cell phone, I found a strip of paper, and on it was this:

Thirteen Valentines For Our Thirteenth Valentine's Day -- Feb 14, 2009
I think you will consider it a fine interlude; it starts in a place with the beatitudes.
(So I got the kid's together and we started our hunt... we have some blocks with Pres. Hinckley's 6 B's, and that is where the next one was:)

1. "Charity... suffereth long..."
Your longsuffering toward me makes glad my head, I would have you look next to where we sometimes find bread. (the bread basket)

2."...is kind..."
Your kindness to me is a welcome repose, and so your kind words; they smell like a rose... (off we went to the flowers on the kitchen counter)

3."...envieth not..."
You help me remember that life is not about gain, but hope to snatch eternity in this world of much pain. Go to the place where the mammon abounds in great coinage; you will see, the new clue will astound! (I was cracking up too hard to go find this one..."mammon abounds in great coinage?" the kids found it on the change jar in the office)

4. "...Vaunteth not... is not puffed up..."
You help me remember on God to rely, instead of myself as a tiny black fly. (on top of the fridge next to the fly swatter... how romantic!)

5. "...rejoice not in iniquity..."
What I watch on TV or see on the Dish, If I care not or perceive not, might stink like a fish. SO now I watch very carefully the place where it lies, this box of these wonders, these shows, and I am apprised. (what part of this one is about his everlasting love for me? I have no idea...)

6. "...not behave itself unseemingly..."
Don't go to Wal-Mart in your pajamas indeed, (I'm always harping on him about doing this) if you do you may find that you stand out like a weed. But, use good language and spell right, and "THINK ON THESE THINGS" (We have a wall plaque that says this)

7. "...seeketh not her own..."
You serve others so smartly so well, and so true, you seek not your own and you do shat is true. You teach joy in service and you do it so well, I love to see you mixing that bread I love so well. (the first thing Olivia said was, "How many 'so well's' are you going to put in there, Dad?!" He must have been getting tired, but you have to admit this is just so cute...)

8. "... is not easily provoked..." (Anyone who really knows me knows that this one would be a stretch...)
I am grateful for your patience. I am grateful very much. I am glad you spare your anger while I let the trash keep piling up. (He knew he was safe here, because he never lets the trash pile up!)

9. "...thinketh no evil..."
Your mouth is a pleasant fountain of good and righteous words. I love to hear you speak softly as a flea lights upon a bird. (What?!?) Your words betray your goodness, and make me feel so cheery. Your company a blessing, like a wreath of bright red berries. (Huh? Of course we knew where the next clue was after that one...)

10. "...rejoices in truth..."
I know you love the scriptures, and can recite those timely verses. You shared some timely counsel from the Journal of Discourses. (My current favorite church reference book, much to my husband's delight)

11."...beareth all things..."
Bearing the sons of men is a job that is quite daunting, but you bare it up so well that it seems not so alarming. I hope I have the faith to put on God's armor and that my faith is not like the kind that sits upon the armoir. (Boy we were almost stumped on that one, until we noticed the 'faith' plaque on top of the TV cabinet. Then I remembered the night before as he was at the computer him asking me, what's the cabinet that holds the TV called? It's an armoir, honey...)

12. "...believeth all things..."
Your testimony of the truth is built upon a rock. I am strengthenend by your witness and I know others are as well. If you seek a tiny witness hole, you may find the final clue. (it was stuck in the front door peep hole)

13. "...endureth all things..."
I know that together we can endure to the end and find the blessings that our Father has for us. I am eternally grateful to be yours. Be mine. I love you dearly, and Happy Valentine's Day,
Love, Scott ( That one was worth the whole thing. What a cutie!)

So when you ask for an alternative to flowers, be prepared!!! So of course, I think now it is clearer why we laugh because of how "not funny" we are! I was laughing so hard through the whole thing that I had to go back and reread them to catch the sentiment! Scott, I love your random, quacky humor, but especially your sweetness. You actually embody more of these attributes of charity than I do, and you do it without drawing any attention to yourself. I love you, sweetheart!