Oops.
I forgot my FAVORITE valentine.
This is from my boy.
As you all told me when he was born, absolutely nothing melts a mother’s heart like her baby boy.
I will probably – no SURELY – keep this on my bedside table for the rest of my ENTIRE life.
It will go right next to the Mother’s Day card that Lilly made me her first year in preschool.
I remember, I was SO excited for my first real handmade card from school.
I was in tears just watching her excitement as she ran out of the classroom door with it in her hand – waving it wildly for me to open right on the sidewalk, in front of all the other tots and moms.
I tore the envelope open gingerly – wanting to save it forever and ever in perfect condition.
The front was handpainted, and lettered in her tiny, sweet scribble writing to read “I love my mom because”…
I flipped it open to the inside.
And stared, mouth agape.
Eyes and smile trying not to let on I was a bit horrified – and embarrased.
It said “because she WORKS.”
I was sullen for days.
Felt like a bum of a mom.
All the things you shift and reprioritize for your children – to be the best mother you can possibly be – at times superhuman it seems…
And when it comes to Mother’s Day, and in one important moment, when they reflect with their teacher and peers on what we stand for, and how we have impacted their life, their love, their everything…
They focus on our hectic work schedule.
Geeesh.
Perspective.
That’s what that card did for me. And I keep it next to my bed so I always remember to keep reflective and perspective in all that we do each day.
My own mother still, years later, grandkids far away across the country, handcrafts the most beautiful Valentines in the entire world.
The kids have learned – they absolutely never, NEVER tear into grandma’s gorgeous gifts until I have photographed them in great detail.
And yes, that includes the sticky sweet treats tucked under the vintage French ribbon.
This week, a good ol’ MDB.
Lilly has taken teeny tiny bites, one little bite each day, and invited half the neighborhood over after school to share a teensy weensy taste of Grandma’s bacon bar.
These are my surprise treats for the kids when they come home from school today.
They made these cutting boards for me for Christmas, in Grandpa’s wood shop.
100 uses, now 101.
That’s actually very cute. Sounds like your daughter is proud of you for working hard for the family and for planning awesome events.
Thank you Ella – happy Valentine’s day.
Debi