Tip of My Iceberg

At ten years of age, she fascinates the guys in her class.

For the Holiday of Hearts, she crafted her Valentine’s box in the shape of R2D2 from Star Wars. Nothing fru-fru, not lacy and girly like many young women her age would choose to do, but something technical, robotic, and different.

To say the boys in her class were impressed would be an understatement.

Brooklyn has a wide variety of interests. She loves playacting, reading, and even dressing up in fancy clothes. She can also kick a soccer ball harder than most boys her age. She doesn’t like being put in a box; she’s her own person, and she has a solid sense of self-awareness that makes her an old soul at a young age.

She can be moody, but she’s also tough. After all, she is a pre-teen. But one of the many things I love about her is her dauntless spirit. She doesn’t back down when she believes she’s right.

That can be viewed in many ways by adults. She can be seen as confident, contentious, or creative. She has a lot of opinions, as most girls her age do. She also dares to voice her thoughts when she feels she’s correct.

I see her as courageous. Sometimes with a bit of attitude.

There have been many throughout history who have stood solidly for what they believed. One of those men was Valentinus, a Roman priest who lived during the third century, a man of compassion and great faith. There have actually been quite a few Valentinuses, but this one is the reason we celebrate February 14.

During this time, Claudius II was the Emperor of Rome. He ruled amid fifty years of great military anarchy, hyperinflation, and numerous foreign invasions. There was great fragmentation of the empire at this point, and many sought to overthrow the Emperor. Claudius was having difficulty recruiting men to the military because of the constant civil wars and social upheaval, so soldiers in service were required to serve twenty-five years. To accomplish this unsustainable demand, he banned all marriages and engagements.

Many wanted to marry, but with their options taken away, those desiring to wed went underground. Valentinus was sympathetic to the hearts of these people, so he secretly married soldiers to their betrotheds. It became known that the kindly priest was helping these soldiers disobey the Emperor, so he was eventually caught and imprisoned for what he had been doing. It’s been said that while in captivity, he attempted to convert Emperor Claudius to Christianity.

It’s been said that during his time in prison, the couples he wed would sneak letters and even flowers through the bars of his cell.

Valentinus was executed on February 14, around 269 AD. for his insurrection. About two hundred years later, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as a day to honor Valentinus’ courageous life.

Valentine’s Day just passed, and the giving of cards, candy, and flowers has become a yearly affair. Mass marketing has created expectations; it’s estimated that up to two billion dollars are spent each Valentine’s Day on flowers alone.

Brooklyn’s Valentine box reflected her commitment to what she enjoys. Such commitment meant time and energy on a project.

Commitment costs.

What are you willing to sacrifice for true commitment?