I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. It feels like a fabricated holiday. I’d rather appreciate and celebrate love when it’s least expected.
Where do we find love every day?
Love is Chris making scrambled eggs for Isaac and Noah on Saturday morning because he knows I will never eat an egg or scramble one unless I’m held hostage and forced to do so.
Love is Isaac washing a load of towels, bringing them upstairs, folding them, and putting them away.
Love is going to Aldi with Isaac every Monday, taking him to recycling every Tuesday, heading to Hy-Vee every Thursday, eating pizza every Friday, going to Culver’s every Saturday, and dropping by Chris’s office every Sunday.
Love is having a broken dryer and taking Isaac to the laundromat so he can experience the joy of various machines in one spot.
Love is buying the garlic bread pepperoni pizza for Henry at the store because it’s his favorite.
Love is Chris shoveling the driveway and sidewalk early in the morning before he goes to work.
Love is Henry returning from jazz band practice on Monday night and saying, “It was great! It’s always great!”
Love is seeing a heart shape near our welcome mat outside our back door.
Love is Isaac giving a snack to a friend, even though he didn’t really want to share.
Love is sending packages to people and knowing they will enjoy a nice surprise.
Love is Isaac coming into our bedroom and saying, “Yes. Coffee!” which really means he wants us to get out of bed.
Love is Noah coming home from school and saying the food at home is better than the food in the cafeteria.
Love is our respite provider dropping off a Christmas present for Isaac and hearing her say, “I hope he enjoys it.”
Love is receiving a thank you note in the mail with a heart drawn on the back of the envelope and words of gratitude inside.
Love is going for a walk every day while I listen to podcasts, collect my thoughts, and contemplate running away from home.
Love is Isaac standing outside the living room window at night yelling, “Thank you!” while he waits for someone inside to say, “You’re welcome!” He laughs and screams with a joy that most people don't experience.
Love is Henry wearing all of his winter gear so he can shovel the snow outside while he listens to music. He never complains, either.
Love is knowing Noah has friends and a nice roommate.
Love is Chris, Noah, and Henry playing Wii bowling with Isaac every night like clockwork at 9:00 pm.
Love is meeting a friend for dinner and laughing so hard my sides ache.
Love is Isaac looking forward to watching the show Access Daily from 11:50-12:00 on Mondays with Henry and his friend. Isaac sits on the couch, watches intently with these two guys, and laughs. Then they leave and he tunes into the noon news.
Love is Chris fixing our pantry door when the antique doorknob broke and we couldn’t get inside to get our taco seasoning.
Love is Noah leaving the house and saying, “I need to stretch my legs.” Really what he means is he is tired of our family togetherness. Love is when I say, “Remember to come back! But if you’re not coming back, take money with you so you can start a new life.”
Love is Isaac ordering vanilla custard with strawberries on top at Culver’s because he saw his cousin eating the same thing.
Love is doing an errand on Sunday morning when it feels like -28 degrees.
Love is chatting with Noah once a week to see what’s new in his world at college.
Love is watching Wheel of Fortune every night at 6:30 pm.
Love is going to the coffee shop every Saturday afternoon and having the employees set aside a cookie for Isaac because they know he will be disappointed if he doesn’t get one.
Love is waking up each day and putting one foot in front of the other.
Love is Isaac unloading the dishwasher every night after 11:00 pm. Then he turns to me and says, “Mom, snuggle.”
Love is Henry asking, “Are you going to make Jon’s Caramel Brownies today? I’ve already helped you. I unwrapped all the caramels.”
Love is waiting for Isaac in an aisle at Target because the laundry detergent he always uses has new packaging and a new handle, and he feels thrown off even though it’s the same product.
Love is finding the good in every day.