My Berhan proposed to me on Valentine’s Day. He invited me to dinner and he hardly said a word throughout the dinner. I mean that was not something unusual. My Berhan normally listens to me while I talk none-stop. So I didn’t feel anything different. Well, after the fact, yes, I realized that he went to the rest room and washed his hand and face at least twice. He was planning to give me the ring in a drink and he changed his mind at the last minute and bought something. After dinner, he took out a beautiful pen gift box and said, “I thought you like this pen.”

If you are a girl and the man you are expecting to propose to you gets to his jacket pocket and takes out a pen and gives you as a Valentine’s Day gift, what would you feel?

“Depressed” won’t express it! My mind was racing and thinking million things at the same time. I remember saying, “A pen?” And I tried to cover up my emotion and I said, “Okay, thank you!” While I was about to throw it in my purse, he said, open it! I’m like, “Open it?” I can see it through the cover. What is there to see in a pen box? He insisted.

At the same time I opened the box and saw the ring was the time my Berhan touched the floor on his knees, looking at my face . . . I don’t think he finished the sentence when I jumped on him.

Did I cry? Well, first, I was a bit overwhelmed. Even if I knew deep down in my heart that he was going to propose, when it actually happened, I felt like, “Oh, my gosh! He proposed to me!” Yeah, I cried after my brain found enough time to process the whole thing.

So far, many people have asked me, “Is it right for us Christians to celebrate Valentine’s Day?”

Well, I told you a piece of my memorable story that made the Valentine’s Day special for me. But when it comes to Christianity, this is the way I see it.

This is one of our calls: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Whether a day is called a Valentine’s Day or Vladimir Putin’s Day (not that there is such a holiday but if there is one) or better yet, Christmas or Easter Day, the days are evil. Period! It is up to us Christians to make the most of every opportunity; means to use every day as a day to abandon our will and desire for the sake of glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the only way that gives us meaning, purpose and fulfillment on Valentine’s Day and/or on any day. ///