“This is the card I’d buy for you if I were going to buy a card,” I said. He did the same. We gave each other a high five and proclaimed we just saved $10.
Having one day in the middle of February to express love and appreciation seems contrived. I’d rather have someone surprise me on any other day with a kind word, flowers, or a heart-felt sentiment.
Where do we find love every day?
Love is Isaac handing me a coffee filter and a bag of coffee every morning, even on days when I have no intention of drinking it. Love is hearing him say, “Mom. Coffee.”
Love is Henry sitting on the couch, lost in a good book.
Love is Chris taking two kids to work on a Sunday afternoon. Love is walking to the office together and stopping by the coffee shop to get a treat.
Love is putting lotion on Noah’s legs because he says they feel like Death Valley.
Love is opening the front door every day after school and asking, “How was your day?”
Love is driving around town in the van with Isaac while he listens to country music. Love is not swerving off the road when 98.5 FM plays “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.”
Love is attending parent-teacher conferences and listening to Henry lead the conversation about his academic progress.
Love is being at the swimming pool every day in the summer (sometimes while wearing jeans and a windbreaker) because Isaac is obsessed with the water slide. Love is being a mother and not going off the deep end, even when my nerves are shot. Love is acknowledging the importance of routine and predictability. Love is seeing Isaac's joy when he lands in the water.
Love is driving the same way home every day to lessen Isaac’s anxiety, even if it adds a few miles to the trip.
Love is Noah and Henry sitting side by side, playing Animal Crossing together.
Love is seeing Noah’s expression when he reads a card from a teacher who thanked him for his leadership.
Love is Isaac snuggling next to me on the couch while we watch another episode of AFV.
Love is Chris saying, “Boys, you are lucky because you have one of the best moms in the world.” Love is Noah asking, “Okay, just wondering . . . how do we know this for sure?”
Love is getting out of bed late on a Saturday morning to discover Isaac had unloaded the dishwasher.
Love is allowing Noah to have some quiet alone time at home to recharge.
Love is dropping off Henry at school every morning and watching him smile and wave goodbye to me before he finds a friend on the playground.
Love is Chris helping with Noah’s tie before the beginning of a chorus concert.
Love is watching Isaac type “Mom I want computer help password please” on the iPad because he needs to request help before he can use my laptop.
Love is taking Noah to a United States Air Force Brass in Blue band concert. Love is hearing him say, “I enjoyed it so much. I feel like I just witnessed the birth of a nation during the last two hours.”
Love is finding Isaac snuggled up next to his twin brother in Noah’s double bed.
Love is watching Isaac’s face light up when he watches car wash videos on YouTube.
Love is Noah understanding Isaac better than anyone else. Love is Noah saying he fiercely loves his twin brother. Love is knowing a twin bond can't be described with words.
Love is finding the good in every day.