Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, my very favorite holiday. Yes, I know about Christmas and Easter and that, as a Christian, those are probably supposed to be higher on my holiday scale. But Christmas and Easter involve a lot of work for me, especially now that I'm a mom, whereas Valentine's Day is a day on which I can just celebrate the people I love. And there's nothing more that I love -- except maybe smashing overheads in tennis -- than celebrating the people I love. So here's my tribute to my brood:
To the Guv: I have loved you for 17 years, 9 months and 1 day, or thereabouts. I am sure of very little in this life, especially right now, but the one thing that I have never and will never question is that I am with exactly the right person for me (and vice versa). You are way too much fun, and I imagine you making me laugh just as much on a park bench when I'm 70 or even 90. When it comes to you, that's what I appreciate the most: the smile you put on my face every single day. I love you for that, and for much more.
To Petunia and Dash: Yes, I've lumped you two together, because you are two halves of a whole. It is nice to know that I am finished having children, because you are a lot of work, but you've also made it easy by completing each other. Where Petunia's sweetness ends, Dash's antics begin. You make me tired, but, most days, you make me as tired from the stitches of laughter you induce as from the sheer work of raising you. You both got that skill from your father: the skill of making me laugh when I'm trying to discipline you. Oh well; you're good kids (well, Petunia anyway -- Dash, the jury's still out). In any event, Petunia, you are growing so beautifully -- and too quickly, as we're only a couple of years away from sharing clothes, and that freaks me out. But seriously, there's not a single thing that I'd change about you -- especially the way you put up with your brother. I'm worried that you may have six kids because you have way too much patience. As for Dash, you are nothing but all-boy-trouble, and I'm hoping that my strong heart will cast some sort of protective shield around you (like Violet in the Incredibles). You'll need it, as you seem to have no fear. I am trying to learn from that devil-may-care attitude, when it comes to snowboarding, moving away from New Jersey, and much else. I'm not sure from whom you inherited this recklessness, but, if it works out, I'll take the credit. I should get something after cleaning up all of your vomitblood messes.
As for the rest of my family and friends: You rock, non-stop. I am lucky to have parents who still "go," siblings who still reach for the stars, an aunt brave enough to work in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and friends who put up with my antics. Tomorrow, on Valentine's Day, I'll be celebrating all of you, and I am looking forward to another great year of love and friendship. Cheers!
Recent Comments