This is the wonderful month of love, hearts, and (perhaps) having sweet nothings whispered in your ear, right?

Sometimes, life with a soft-spoken spouse like mine can feel like everything is a whisper. He could pass you in a hallway, say hello, and you’d swear you missed it entirely. I often find myself chuckling, having to remind him that if I can hear a pin drop (literally), my hearing is really not the issue!

It’s funny how the quiet ones seem to get away with so much. Sometimes I miss the small things—quiet gestures of love just as meaningful as grand declarations.

I’ll be honest. In the past, I’ve often wished he were a little louder in expressing his feelings—maybe a few more dramatic, grand gestures that sweep you off your feet. But over the years, I’ve learned that genuine love is often quieter than we expect. It’s in the soft-spoken words, the little acts of kindness, the way someone just knows what you need.

My husband’s soft-spoken nature is something not yet inherited by our grandson Sutton (2), who’s quickly learning that love, at least in his world, is something of an entirely different volume.

In church last Sunday, as Sutton chattered away during the sermon, I leaned down and whispered, “Sutton, can you whisper?” Our little firecracker looked right at me and, in the loudest voice imaginable, belted out, “YEAH!”

Hearing a child say “yeah” with the enthusiasm of a marching band can reduce you to giggles – quiet sanctuary or not.

So, here’s to February—the month of love in all its forms.

A reminder that love, whether it’s whispered or shouted, is filled with joy…and joy knows no volume control.

Sutton’s pure enthusiasm was just as much a declaration of love as a quiet “I love you.” How often we forget that sometimes, love is as loud as it needs to be.

So, I’ll keep working on getting my husband to raise his voice a little, but I’m not worried about Sutton. He’s got love down perfectly—full of volume, heart, and just the right amount of mischief.

Love is never as simple as we think. It’s loud. It’s quiet. It’s messy. It’s perfect. Because sometimes, it’s the whispers (or attempted ones) that hold the most meaning.

Until next time ~