Valentine's Day

Anyone who knew Landen personally knows that he had an AMAZING gift of making anyone feel of extreme value. I know many felt this from him.

There was a lady in Albany named Thomasina who told my mom that the thing that impressed her most about my brother was that he loved her without caring what she had been before she met the Lord. He showed no partiality and saw everyone with purpose and value.

Landen was always proud of me ...even when I felt there was nothing to be proud of. Sometimes I was so embarrassed to meet new people who he had talked to about me before I met them because I felt that there was no way to measure up to the way he spoke about me.

Valentine's Day was an extra special day for our family. My mother taught us that it is not just a holiday for "lovers" but for EVERYONE to express their love and appreciation toward one another. As many across our nation we bought small gifts and designed cards ...anything we could think of to make others feel special.

As we grew older Landen would have dates for Valentines Day but he would always squeeze me in. I remember one year in college Landen took out his girlfriend, then took our cousin Jocelyn for ice cream and me out after work just so that we were all cared for and felt special on VALENTINE'S DAY! He thought it most important.

Landen got married.

Landen loved and adored his wife.

...so much so that I had a dream about how much he loved her last night.

Even then...the last Valentine's Day Landen was alive he sent to me a package. Inside was a card (I loved Landen's cards!), a take-along- coffee mug with hearts on it and a Starbucks giftcard.

Wasn't he just the best brother?

He did even more beautiful things for his wife.

I guess that is why it hurts so much that he is away.

I love you, Landen...even though you are far away!