Deb DeArmond's new book, I Choose You Today, is a perfect read for couples—and not just for Valentine's Day. But I asked her to share her heart for this special Valentine's Day UPGRADE for married couples.
"He drove in the pouring rain for eight hours to surprise me for Valentine’s Day," Deb says. "Best upgrade ever."
Don't you love Valentine's Day surprises? I (Dawn) love the way Deb's hubby, Ron, showed his romantic side; but I love even more her emphasis on the choice they made to strengthen and bless their marriage.
Deb continues . . .
When you’ve been married for 40 years, you’ve “celebrated” a lot of February 14th’s together. Some involved hauling kids to ball practice and music lessons or a doctor’s appointment for an elderly parent. Not quite A+ in the romance department.
We usually exchanged cards, but that was often the extent of the energy devoted to making the day special.
But 12 years ago, my Valentine chose to upgrade my day in a way I never expected—and will never forget.
We lived near San Francisco at the time. I was scheduled for two weeks of work 400 miles south in Los Angeles, which meant I’d straddle the weekend and miss Valentine’s Day. I hated to be away, but we made plans to celebrate on my return. Luckily, my sweet mother-in-law lived nearby, so I planned some shopping and a Valentine’s Day dinner as a treat.
Just as we were headed out to a favorite restaurant, there came a brisk knock. When I opened the door, I was stunned to see the face of my sweet man. He was holding a dozen beautiful roses and beamed a “gotcha!” smile.
I was shocked. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been. After all, Ron’s the romantic one in this duo.
Not long after we married, he began to say, “I Choose You Today.” Not every day, but several times each week, he spoke those words. I soon began to follow suit with my own declaration, adding a specific focus such as “I choose to love you today” or “I choose to support your goals today.”
Whether we said them aloud or just held them in our hearts, our behavior began to align with those choices.
Sometimes the words are exchanged with a hug and a kiss. Sometimes it’s through gritted teeth.
It’s on the days I least feel like choosing him that it’s most important that I do.
Our feelings cannot be the foundation of our commitment. Feelings are subject to change. The foundation of our life together must be based on God’s Word, which never changes.
Those four little words, I choose you today, have had a dramatic impact in our life, in ways I never imagined all those years ago.
James 3:5 tells us “A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything —or destroy it!” (MSG)
And in the middle of every CHOICE there’s a hidden message:
O-I-C or Oh, I See!
Choose to look ahead and you’ll never look back.
Here’s how:
O – Open your heart (and your mouth) often to renew your commitment to one another. It reminds you of the day you stood together facing the future with little knowledge of what life would demand. It’s unifying.
I – Ignite the fire in your marriage often by making purposeful choices that support your relationship, choosing to honor, respect, and romance one another.
C – Create a connection that aligns your marriage with the Lord at the center. Focused on God is how we started life together and how we must continue if we want to finish strong. And that is our plan.
Life’s all about the choices you make. What will you choose today?
Deb DeArmond’s newest book, I Choose You Today: 31 Choices to Make Love Last, is based on the
principle that marriage and love is always a choice—one that benefits from a 
daily renewal of our commitment. It offers inspirational stories, scriptural foundations, and thought-provoking questions so readers can explore their choices and commitments to each other . . . every day of their marriage. Married nearly 40 years, Deb and Ron live near Fort Worth. Their tribe includes three sons, three daughters-in-love, and six perfect grandboys. Find Deb, her books, and her speaking schedule at www.debdearmond.com.