By Rachel O’Neill, Contributing Writer

I have a confession to make: my husband and I don’t “do” Valentine’s Day. While we love each other and have nothing against romance, the pink and red, hearts-a-plenty, consumer-driven holiday just isn’t our thing. Many of our friends make a point of celebrating it, and that’s fine with us. As a couple we’ve simply chosen to celebrate our marriage and show one another love in different ways.

It’s hard as humans not to compare, and the advent of Pinterest and Facebook have made it even more difficult. Maybe you’ve been overwhelmed by the oodles of fantastic gift ideas that you’ll never be able to pull off for your spouse. Maybe pictures of a friend’s romantic candlelit dinner and extravagant gift from her husband have you twinging with jealousy. Your heart is struggling with discontentment with what you don’t have, or perhaps with pride over what you do have.

Pssst: Note from Jami – If you WANT to celebrate your love this year but don’t have any time to put something together – I’ve got you covered! I’ve so been there before. That’s why my husband and I created the Rekindling Romance eKit – it’s packed with over 30 pages of printable, romantic fun! Get a coupon book, 10 things I love about you, romantic quotes, a fun game, and more. Click Here!

Every marriage is different, and Christianity doesn’t necessitate cookie-cutter marriages. All that we’ve been asked to do is for husbands to love their wives with a laid down life, and for wives to submit to and honor their husbands. This speaks easy but lives hard. It’s enough to keep us busy without envying or turning our noses down at other marriages.

Will you be celebrating this Valentine’s day with rose bouquets and a date night? Wonderful! May you love one another well and cherish this special day.

Did your husband forget the day and fail to meet your expectations? Offer forgiveness and choose to love him well. Glorify God and honor your husband with a joyful heart in life’s big and small disappointments.

Did your best friend receive diamonds while you just got a card? Choose to rejoice with her, and to give thanks for what God has given you.

This Valentine’s Day, embrace your freedom in Christ to love one another, however that may look in your marriage. Ask your spouse what you can do to better serve them, or what makes them feel most loved, and make a point of honoring them in that way.

May your marriage reflect Christ’s passionate and sacrificial love for His Church, from February 14th, 2014, to February 13th, 2015, and every day after.

Join Me For a Challenge!

One of my goals for 2016 is to focus more on my husband, to have more fun in our marriage, and to make him feel cherished and loved! Together with two of my very favorite bloggers, we will be going through a marriage challenge February 8-March 8th!Get all the details & join in here!

Are you ready to take some time to focus on your marriage but you don’t know where to start? Do you wish you and your husband spent more time talking, laughing, and having fun together? Three Christian bloggers have come together to give you the ultimate bundle to help you strengthen your marriage! Check out the bundle today (and join our optional Facebook challenge group)!

P.S. We are offering a 100% money back guarantee in case the bundle isn’t what you expected or wasn’t helpful. Now you literally have no reason not to go check it out!