Last week many people celebrated Valentine’s Day with flowers, cards, or maybe a sweet treat or two. Steve and I drove his truck and trailer around collecting the final pick-ups of furniture before our Yard Sale. Early in the morning we just decided that we would celebrate Valentine’s day – next week. And by celebrate, we just mean making a special dinner at home and maybe – just maybe Steve might bring me flowers.

Prepping for our big yard sale which meant early mornings and late nights sorting, pricing, and staging – our marriage felt tested as we both became tired, grumpy, and stressed at times – and our communication dwindled. We sat in Steve’s truck driving out to Chandler where we would pick up a beautiful living room set (Lazy Boy couch, love seat, and recliners in really great condition) – both exhausted and tired – and quiet. A friend of a friend, heard about our adoption fundraiser and wanted to donate the set. They previously had it staged at a local consignment store, but had made arrangements for us to pick it up. We pulled into the back loading ramp and out of the shadows a woman appeared – we didn’t expect the donor to be on site, but what a pleasant surprise.

Her generosity and encouragement lifted our spirits. As we drove away, I responded to a text she sent us telling her thank you. And how I couldn’t wait to tell our little one how so many friends, family, and friends of friends like her helped us to bring them home. Her response was simply this “This is a love story.”

I teared up thinking about how this might be the perfect Valentine’s gift.  People coming together to help Steve and I raise funds for our adoption. As we stood surrounded by our mini-thrift store spread across our lawn and our neighbors lawn Friday morning – I was overwhelmed with how much had been given to us. How many people had come around us to help from setting things up, moving items, storing items, spreading the word, and donating. It’s incredibly humbling. How loved we feel by all of your support. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to say thank you. And Happy Belated Valentine’s day from the Duffys!