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Happy JEWISH Valentine's Day!

Since the beginning of our relationship, my husband and I have always celebrated Valentine’s Day on February 15th.  This a tradition that I stole from my Grandpa and that Matt has been more than happy to participate in because he says that this another holiday fabricated by greeting card companies.  Why did my grandpa wait one day? Because everything is half price.  My grandpa would save a penny anywhere he could, and this was one of his many strategies. 

Growing up, I always thought I would marry somebody like my stepdad.  Big and strong stature, boots and jeans every day, and can fix anything type of guy.  My stepdad is a GREAT guy and I would have been lucky to marry somebody like him, but I didn’t.  I married somebody like my grandpa. 

Yes, they both love to save money, but that is not the only way that Matt reminds me of my grandpa.  There are other practical things too- they have similar builds and statures.  My grandpa wore a polo dress shirt every single day.  Matt wears polos most days and, just like my grandpa, he rarely gets through the day without getting at least one food stain on it. 

My grandpa was really good with numbers and so is Matt.  My grandpa’s love of numbers played a big role in enabling him to be great at his job.  He was dedicated to his employer and a workaholic.  Matt is the same.  He is constantly working and always using numbers and spreadsheets to help him be better at his job.

They love numbers, but both enjoy making small talk with people, which is an unusual combination.  I remember, my grandpa used to make friends with every single waitress we had and loved to strike up a conversation in English or Spanish.  Matt is the same way.  He’ll end up having a conversation with the random old guy in the booth three tables over from us and makes small talk with ALL of his co-workers.

My grandpa used to love to give my grandma a hard time.  He would get her riled up just for entertainment and sit there and chuckle about it.  It is one of my most vivid memories of him, because I saw it over and over and over again.  Harassing me seems to be Matt’s favorite pass time.  Every time I turn around he’s aggravating me or waiting behind the corner to try to scare me. 

They both have similar attitudes when they get frustrated.  Matt even uses some of the grandpa quotes and sayings that I have passed on to him.  My grandpa loved to save money, but he also LOVED to spend money on other people.  At times, he was very generous.  Matt is the most generous man I have ever known.  He is always willing and ready to help people around us and he takes joy in blessing others.

My grandpa loved to have people over.  Whether is was just me spending the night, or the whole family after lunch, or my mom’s youth group for games and pizza.  The who didn’t matter.  Everyone was a special guest to grandpa.  My husband is the same way, he loves for us to host.  It doesn’t matter who it is, he’s always ready to “invite them over.”  They both thrive from having the house buzzing with people.

They both have a love for kids and they both love me.  My grandpa loved to see me, spend time with me, and most of all- he loved to spoil me.  Yes, I did indeed, marry somebody very much like my grandpa.

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