Valentines Day

Valentines Day, 17 years ago, we woke up early. We drove to Manti, Utah on roads that were icy and slick.    We waited threw the traffic jam caused by a wreck in the canyon.  We got to the temple with just enough time to rush in.  There was no time for me to nurse the baby.  There was no time for me to kiss my mom and dad goodbye.  They would be waiting outside while we went into the temple to receive our endowments and  be sealed to each other for all time and eternity.  One sweet sister took my seven month old daughter to the nursery.  Another sweet sister guided me, and my best friend (Who had traveled from Seattle to be my escort.) to a dressing room.  I sat in the brides room and cried.  I was overwhelmed.  I hadn't nursed the baby.  My mom wasn't with me.  Finally, my wonderful friend came to get me.   Before I knew it, we were kneeling at the alter.  Our family was being sealed for eternity.  Someone brought our daughter in.  She was laughing.  This baby who had not nursed in several hours had the biggest smile on her face.  Without prompting she leaned over and grabbed our hands, as if she knew exactly how important what we were doing was.  Every step that we take as a family, I think about that day, that moment.  Every child we have brought into the world in affected by what happened that day.  The baby we held for such a short time, he was affected by that day.  He is ours because we made that icy long drive, because we made the covenants to each other, to our Father in Heaven, to our future family.  When trouble came, and our family faced a rocky uncertain future, I held on because of what had happened that day.