As February unfolds its romantic tapestry, I find myself reflecting on two decades of love—20 remarkable years of marriage to my high school sweetheart. This month’s stitching journey holds a special place in my heart as we explore the enchanting world of red roses, a timeless symbol of love and enduring romance. this month’s stitch-along pattern features three of these beautiful, iconic flowers and a sprinkling of hearts.
The Red Roses Pattern: A Love Story in Stitches
In crafting this month’s pattern, the vibrant red hues intertwine, mirroring the intertwining journey my husband and I embarked upon in our teenage years. Each stitch becomes a chapter, weaving a tale of shared dreams, laughter, and the quiet strength that comes from weathering life’s storms together.
A Walk Down Memory Lane: High School Sweethearts
Twenty years ago, in the halls of high school, our love story began. Introduced by a girlfriend of mine to this amazing boy that had sat behind me in homeroom since the first day of grade 9. Somehow I had never taken notice of him before, lost in my own little world and small group of friends, utterly convinced no one would notice the quiet, unremarkable me. That day, our mutual friend decided we should get to know each other and she set us up to attend the formal Christmas dance that night.
I vividly recall the first time she pointed me out to him, a boy whose locker was only a few down from mine and who had shared the same space with me for the first two years of our high school career. As his eyes meet mine, really met mine, for the first time, I couldn’t imagine why I had never noticed this sweet, shy, quiet boy before. We attended the dance together that night despite a horrific winter storm and the rest is history. We have been inseparable ever since.
We’ve been together for nearly 28 years and married for 20 this year and I have been so incredibly honoured to get to build a family with this humble and gracious man. The red roses, symbolic of passion and commitment, echo the sentiments of those early days when every stolen glance and shared secret laid the foundation for a lifetime of love.
Stitching with Love: A Personal Connection
We met in December on the day of the Christmas Formal and I knew by February this this was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Our school had a program where you could purchase red roses on Valentines and have them delivered during class hours to your sweetheart or best friend or anyone who was special. I had always been the shy and quiet, slightly nerdy girl, never expecting to be one of the select group that had roses delivered to her in class by her beau. So, much to my surprise and delight, that first February, I did receive roses on valentines.
Today red roses can seem so cliched and I’m not a huge fan of over done romance and flowery expressions, but as a 16 year old girl in high school, receiving red roses from your sweetheart was as romantic as it got and to this day, every time I see these beautiful iconic flowers, I can’t help but remember the joy of those days of new love and especially that first valentines. As I stitched these red roses, I felt the threads of our own love story woven into the fabric. The petals speak of the delicate moments, the thorns of the challenges overcome, and the overall bloom encapsulates the beauty of two lives flourishing side by side.
A Token of Gratitude: Inviting You to Stitch with Us
In the pattern’s details, I find reflections of the milestones we’ve celebrated—the shared laughter, the quiet whispers, and the simple joy of being together. It’s a token of gratitude for the extraordinary journey we’ve been blessed to undertake. This February, I extend an invitation to each of you, my stitching family, to join me in stitching these red roses. Let’s celebrate love, whether it’s the joy of a budding romance, the warmth of enduring partnerships, or the love we hold for ourselves.
Final Thoughts: Blooming Together
As the red roses come to life with each stitch, I am reminded that our love, like these petals, continues to bloom and evolve. May your stitches be filled with love, and may the red roses serve as a timeless reminder of the beauty found in stitching together life’s most precious moments.
