A Valentine Surprise

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.”

—Psalm 16:9

I told her “no.”

But here I was, two hours later, asking myself, Do you really want to spend Valentine’s night alone? I already knew the answer, but I worried about the impending winter storm. Should I really travel the distance in my car with malfunctioning heat? All the newscasters were warning viewers of the dangerous “feels like” temperatures.

But it’s sunny now. Leave while there’s still daylight, and you’ll keep warm in the sun, I tried to convince myself, And dress in layers and bring a blanket and pray.

But I should stay and work more on my writing, I argued.

I had just finished the Afterword for the devotional I was writing. Now I was scrolling through the Facebook news feed, trying hard not to envy all my friends who were spending Valentine’s with their sweethearts and showing off their lovely bouquets of roses.

I had hoped this year would be different for me, for God knows I've prayed about my situation over and over again. One of the hardest parts about being single—and an empty-nester—is not getting hugs on a regular basis. There are times when my craving for affection is like an extreme thirst—like how I get after taking some of my medicine, which makes my tongue as dry as dust . Try as I might, I just can’t quench the thirst. 

I remembered the words of my friend who said when she was single, she told God, I know You’re with me, but I can’t feel You. I need someone with meat on them!

Haha! I knew exactly what she meant. A hug would be nice.

Go! Surprise Emma. After all, it’s Valentine’s Day. Show her some love by showing up to babysit.

I was partway there when I realized I had forgotten my medicine, but I wasn't turning back.

I was halfway there when I decided to call Emma. I’d hate for my surprise to backfire—for her to have found someone else to stay with Layla. She was elated when I told her, and I felt good about my decision to come.

But not as good as I felt when two outstretched arms greeted me at the door. I scooped her up, and those arms wrapped around my neck, while I smothered her with kisses. “I’m so happy to see you, Layla. Could I put you down so I can get two bags out of the car?”

Layla shook her head from side to side.

“I’ll be right back. I just have to get two bags,” I held up two fingers, “Okay?”

She shook her head again, and Emma and I laughed. I squeezed her tightly and kissed her cheek.

“Grandma’s not going to leave you. I’ll be right back.”

She shook her head again and then hugged me tight, her head pressed to my shoulder. I stroked her dark brown hair, smooth and silky against my hand.

Aah…thank You, God. This is just what I needed. Someone to snuggle, who snuggles right back.

And so it started. Layla wouldn't let me out of her sight—so much so her parents were getting jealous. But they had each other and plans for the evening. So with a quick kiss, they were out the door.

As for Layla and me, we had plans of our own, with bath time first on the agenda. I filled the tub, and Layla counted her bath toys, “One, two, three!”

“Yay! Good job, Layla!”

I lifted her into the tub, and she counted again—in Spanish, “Ocho, nueve…”

“Diez!” I added, as I shampooed her hair. She wriggled every which way, and it was hard to keep a hold on her.

“Look up high, so I can rinse your hair.”

She lifted her head back, but only for half-a-second. So I worked quickly to finish the job, and when the bathing was done, I let her play in the tub. She twisted and turned and splished and splashed. And discovered that she could stretch out her legs and lower her back, face up, and her legs would float. Then she lowered her back deeper into the water till it tickled her cherub-like face. She giggled and sank deeper, allowing the water to completely wash over her face. I could see her broad smile just below the surface. Then abruptly she raised, her big brown eyes as wide as her open mouth, and let out a squeal. She did it again. And again and again. And each time I laughed and laughed and laughed.

My funny Valentine Layla

I dried her off with a fluffy orange towel and then slathered her with lavender lotion before dressing her in her pajamas. We settled on the bed and lay next to each other for the entire duration of the Disney movie Air Buddies. Occasionally she would look over at me and utter a word about the movie, like “buddy” or “baby” or “sad.” And sometimes she would ask for agua (water in Spanish). So I would give her a drink, and I would have some too. Other times, she made silly faces at me, like sticking out her tongue. And so did I. Or opening wide her mouth with her face just inches from mine. And of course I did the same.

When the movie ended, we cut off the TV and lay in the dark, with just a sliver of light from my cell phone, which kept Layla busy, looking at my pictures till she drifted off to sleep. And I lay there with her warm body pressed to mine and talked to God about keeping Emma and Ricky safe in the storm—and I thanked Him for Layla and the joy she brought to me, for laughter which does the heart good like medicine (Proverbs 17:22), and for using a child to pour out a wellspring of love and affection to quench my thirsty soul. I continued to count my blessings, “One, two, three…ocho, nueve, diez”—till I heard Emma and Ricky open the front door. Safe and sound. And so was I.

Dear Lord, thank You for hearing every word I utter. You know when I’m “sad” and when I need a “buddy.” And when I need a drink, You fill me with Your living agua that seeps into the parched places of my soul (John 4:14), for there is no space that Your love can’t reach (David Crowder). You are a well of life (Psalm 36:9) that washes over me like bath water and refreshes my spirit. I heart You.

Note: The lyrics of David Crowder’s song I Am truly speak to me. Check it out:

There's no space that His love can't reach

There's no place where we can't find peace

There's no end to Amazing Grace

Take me in with your arms spread wide

Take me in like an orphan child

Never let go, never leave my side.

I am,

Holding on to You.

I am,

Holding on to You.

In the middle of the storm,

I am Holding on,

I am

I am,

Holding on to You.

I am,

Holding on to you.

In the middle of the storm,

I am holding on,

I am

Love like this, Oh my God to find!

I am overwhelmed what a joy divine!

Love like this sets our hearts on fire!

I am,

Holding on to You.

I am,

Holding on to You.

In the middle of the storm,

I am Holding on,

I am

I am,

Holding on to You.

I am,

Holding on to you.

In the middle of the storm,

I am holding on,

I am

This is my Resurrection Song

This is my Hallelujah Come

This is why to You I run

This is my Resurrection Song

This is my Hallelujah Come

This is why to You I run

There's no space that His love can't reach

There's no place that we can't find peace

There's no end to Amazing Grace

I am,

Holding on to You.

I am,

Holding on to You.

In the middle of the storm,

I am Holding on,

I am

I am,

Holding on to You.

I am,

Holding on to you.

In the middle of the storm,

I am holding on,

I am