Roses Are Red

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Every Valentine's Day for the past 10 or more years, a beautiful bouquet of red roses has been handed to me by my Valentine--my Papa.  When I was younger, I used to proudly declare to friends, "My boyfriend gave me these roses!" and then hasten to explain away their confusion.  I thought I was so cute! 

It's not quite time for the Valentine roses yet, but I have already exchanged Valentines with this man who has my heart.  It all started when, several weeks ago, Tiffany announced she was doing a giveaway of three essential oils.  All you had to do was write a Valentine's poem that began with "Roses are red" and then passionately beg, borrow, or steal the most votes for your poem.  This was an interesting idea, but I wasn't really inspired at first.  After all, I'm a single girl, not in a relationship, so what could I write about Valentine's Day?

And then it hit me. 

Roses are red,

The sky is blue.

Daddy,will you be my Valentine?

I'm keeping my heart with you.

I sent it in and e-mailed the link off to Papa so he could vote.  When he arrived home that evening, he smiled, hugged me, and said that since I wrote a poem, he had to write one back to me. With anticipation, I hurried up to my computer.  I vaguely remembered Mama saying that Papa had written her beautiful love poems before they were married, but I was not prepared for what I found embedded in his vote:

Roses are red, an elegant hue,
Graceful, exquisite, just like you!

Beauty and radiance, reflecting the Son,
Growing in Christ, ‘til the day is done.

I cherish the rose, I water and feed,
I turn up the soil, meet every need.

Prune the dry limbs, repair the fence,
Enjoy the beauty and the pleasance.

The Master Gardner will bring a new vine,
For you are His own, you’re really not mine.

Engraft your heart, the new vine will nourish,
Your delicate bloom will continue to flourish.

But until then, I’ll cherish your heart,
Guarding it always, we’ll never part.

Yes, I cried.  I just went to a funeral where a daughter had to sing to her Daddy in Heaven, so I cried.  I've seen too many daughters whose Daddies don't cherish them, water them, feed them, or prune them, so I cried because I am so blessed with such a godly father.  I realized that this stage in life in my father's house won't last forever, so I cried. My Valentine's Day came early this year, and that's just fine with me! 

If you are interested in voting for this father-daughter duo (which is currently not in the lead), then head over here and cast your vote for #1.  The votes must be in before Friday is over!