Imagine the reaction your wife would have if you greeted her on Valentine’s evening with a bouquet of flowers and announced, “Happy Valentines Day! I got you these because I had to.”

Or maybe you greet her with chocolates instead, declaring your love, “I love you dear, I got this for you because it’s the social norm.”

Not the best reaction? How about getting both and declaring, “These are for you, my beautiful sweet! I saw them and immediately thought about how you would show your love to me if I got them for you.”

Can you not picture a good reaction to those declarations? I know it wouldn’t go well in my home, yet that is exactly how marketers tempt us to by flowers, candy or any number of things this Thursday.

Now, I have nothing against buying chocolate or flowers for your loved on – I don’t even find Valentine’s day offensive…but love to our wives should be unconditional – not with the expectation of something in return, not because it’s an obligation, and not because society expects it.

What our wives want from us, more than gifts, is our hearts. They want to know that we love them, that we are and always will be there for them, and that we are looking out for their interest above our own. As you think through what you are going to do for Valentine’s day, consider adding these to your list:
3 better Valentine’s Gifts »