All you need is love...

Happy Valentine's Day! 

A few years ago, Valentine's Day, like so many other days, was a day I dreaded.  The memories of happy times haunted my thoughts and made my whole body ache, leaving me feeling physically ill.  It doesn't ever go away completely.  Until you experience the hurt of a loss so close to your heart, you cannot possibly begin to imagine the feeling.  But here I am.  I'm happy again.  It's Valentine's Day and I'm really looking forward to spending time with the people I love most in this world.

I woke with Jake creeping into bed with me, smelling of sleep and snuggling in, up against me.  He wrapped his not-so-little arms around my neck and held me, showering me with kisses.  That is before he leaped out of bed to fetch my incomplete gift (pictures he printed, but hasn't finished colouring in) and to ask the whereabouts of my gift for him.  Sweet child.

We rushed to get ready for our day and headed off for breakfast at my parent's house.  I made heart-shaped french toast for Jake, Connor, Bianca and my dad for breakfast, a special Valentine's Day treat.

We have been baking Valentine's Day biscuits for those nearest and dearest and Jake was thrilled to be going off to school to spoil his teacher with chocolates and biscuits.  We will be dropping biscuits off to all our special family during the day.  Jake is more excited about this than anything else today!

This afternoon we head off to Danie's house for the rest of Valentine's Day.  I have a picnic planned and we're supposed to be going out on his little boat this evening, but the wind doesn't seem to be playing fair.  Jake will be disappointed, because it means no fishing for him, but it doesn't matter where we have our picnic.  We can have it on the lounge floor, as long as we're together. 

So, to my special Valentine's boys...

My darling Jake, thank you for being you and for giving me a reason to live and to laugh again.  You are so special and so gorgeous and I am so proud of all that you are.  It's been such fun being your mommy and I love watching you grow and learn.  I love you more than words can say.

My special love, Danie, thank you for giving me a reason to love again.  I didn't think it was possible.  you are wonderful in so many ways and I love just being with you.  Thank you for accepting and loving me (and Jake) warts an' all.  I love you so much and can't wait to see you later.  Counting down the hours.

Happy Valentine's day.  May your day be filled with moments to treasure and reasons to love.

Sue X