By Bria Figgins
Valentine’s Day is here, and the students at “Northwest Bridal College” seem to either love or hate February 14th. NU is known for the phrase “ring by spring;” the idea that the students will meet their special someone in the fall and be engaged by the end of spring semester.
During orientation weekend there were many hints to the future of dating here at NU. Many professors made remarks that all followed the same style of comment, “Be watchful of who you sit by, they might be your future spouse.”
According to an article by The Washington Post, a 2013 Facebook analysis found that the top 25 colleges where men are most likely to meet their spouse are all private Christian institutions. For 64 percent of women, the top 25 colleges where they are most likely to find a husband are also religious schools. So the question is, will you meet your true love at Northwest University?
In John 15:12, Jesus commands us to “love one another, as he has loved us.” Here we have it folks, God, himself, tells us to love. This can include all types of love, but since it is Valentine’s day, let’s stick to romance.
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott bring us this wisdom; “Truth be told, we can’t rely on someone else to complete us. Not even our spouse. Ultimately, our compulsion for completion is met in a relationship with God. The more we lean into the Holy Spirit for ‘completion’ the healthier we become.”
It is so easy to poke fun at Valentine’s day and partake in the classic “Galentines day” festivities. There is nothing wrong with this, but we need to remember that God created love for us, because we, as human beings, are not meant to be alone.
Author and theologian Frederick Buechner similarly reminds us of this sentiment, saying “Pay mind to your own life, your own health, and wholeness. A bleeding heart is of no help to anyone if it bleeds to death.”
So whether or not you are being showered with rose petals and chocolates, which I am sure only happens in romantic comedies, and regardless of your relationship status this Valentine’s day, remember that the only truly beautiful love story we can have is one written by God.
If you love the idea of finding an NU love story, check out the Northwest University Alumni Facebook page, where they are featuring NU love stories. Or send in your own!
For further reading on relationships:
https://www.lesandleslie.com/devotions/the-single-sentence/
