Celebrating From the Heart
Yesterday was February 14th, 2012. It was the 30th Valentines Day that Tom and I have spent as sweethearts. "Hearts" is the appropriate theme of Valentines Day you know, and through these years my heart has fluttered over candlelight dinners, sentimental notes of love, chocolates and red roses. I love the romance of it all and I love feeling it all deep in my heart.
As it should be, my Sweetheart and I spent the evening together -- not at a table lit by candlelight, but we sat together in one of my most favorite places in all the world - our family room. In that room we've made priceless lifetime memories with the people that mean the most to me And after last night, I have yet another precious memory that I hope will never leave my heart, or my minds eye.
There was 6 year old Makenzie. She and Kirsten, age 3, were lining up little chairs and organizing the younger ones. At first it was Makenzie welcoming them to primary, but before the evening finished, she was encouraging them to sit still for Music Makers. Some of the chairs held dolls sitting up straight and tall. Makenzie had much better luck getting them to sit still than she did her younger cousins and siblings. Kelsie (4), Kirsten (3), Liesel (2), and Evie (2) were all dressed up in princess dresses - a favorite activity when they come to Papa's and Grandma's house. Even 1 year old Bridget came around the corner with a bead necklace around her neck and a purse over her arm. Oh, and I can't forget the princess shoes. There are pairs enough to go around. The loud clanking of high heels pattering across the wood floor never bothers me though, because I know that inside them are the feet of our little granddaughters.
While we were enjoying watching the girls play, we noticed that our two boys, 4 year old Brigham, and 3 year old Rylan, were obviously missing from it all. They are usually full of energy and mischief so I was surprised when I saw that they had each pulled a chair over to the computer and were passively and quietly watching their Uncle Josh play *******.
At the present time, Tom and I own 4 doll strollers and at least 6 baby dolls. Rarely are those items not being pushed and carried when our little ones are at our house, and last night was no different. Karlie, not yet two years old, was pushing a purple carriage with a baby inside. She told me, "SHHH. Seeping". At one point, Liesel strolled her baby in and asked Kelsie to babysit for her. She handed Kelsie the baby, said "I love you", blew a kiss and left, only to return a minute later to relieve her sitter.
I've watched my grandchildren play dozens of times. It's always a treat, but for some reason, last night, the night when Tom and I were celebrating our love for each other, etched it's way deep into my heart and pulled at my heartstrings. I could have watched them forever. There was nothing - no candlelight dinner, no vase of flowers, no box of chocolates, no other Valentines activity or tradition that could match the joy I felt just quietly watching what Tom and I had started. My heart was full to the brim and overflowing with love. Love for these precious grandchildren, love for their parents, and especially, love for my sweetheart that sat next to me in our family room on Valentines Day 2012.
