Valentine’s Day

Two years ago in January Cody Miller’s dad Steve passed away. He had a very short battle with cancer and the cancer won. It is ironic that so often someone has to die before you truly start to understand how great they were. Steve was one of those people that did so much behind the scenes that you never really knew just how much he did until he was no longer doing it. He worked hard for his family and for the community and he loved his family with every part of him. He was unselfish and he showed his love with his actions and his words. So what does this have to do with Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day came just a month after Steve’s passing. It rudely reminded us all of the fact that Steve would not be sharing this special day with any of us and most of all with his beloved wife. What most people would do on a day like this is stay inside and wrap themselves in a dark cloak of depression and mourn what they have lost. Instead, the Miller’s decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day together and to be surrounded by love. I was privileged to be a part of this small gathering and we all enjoyed spending time together at Benihana surrounding ourselves with laughter and good memories of Steve.

Last year I was out of town on Valentine’s Day, but this year we once again went to Benihana to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Again I was honored to be with the Miller’s. They always treat me like one of the family and when you are with them you can’t help but feel extremely loved.

I know that one day I will be married and maybe then I will want to spend Valentine’s Day with her alone, but really I can’t think of a better way to spend Valentine’s Day. Take this one day and just stop and tell the people that you love how much you love them. Don’t get caught up in the hype and spending money, instead, call your mom, call your dad, call your kids and tell them how much they mean to you, because one day you might wake up and they won’t be there.

And Steve, I never told you what a great dad you were, but if I had to do it over again I would stop and tell you. You did a great job with your family and we still miss you very much.