anticipation.

yesterday, lily and i created her very first valentine's day cards.
she enjoyed the craft.
my heart fluttered with eager anticipation of all of her valentine's celebrations to come.

do you remember the thrill of valentine's day as a grade schooler? i adored it. i remember carefully constructing my outfit. one that would show my excitement about the holiday without being too over-the-top. red shirt, red bow in the hair, socks with hearts on them, perhaps?

your heart would always hope for a valentine's from that one special someone. and most often, you would not get it. but the thrill of hoping was half of the fun.

i will never forget my third grade valentine's day celebration.

a boy named chad gave me so-called-diamond earrings with little hearts hanging from them. i was still at the phase where i would NEVER have admitted who i had a crush on, yet i had obviously practiced my new signature as a married woman hundreds of times! unfortunately, i knew that chad was probably not the one for me. however, i was flattered to have received such a gift. i remember the following day, not wanting to hurt his feelings, but also not wanting to lead him on. i was fortunate enough to be able to deconstruct the earrings so that i could wear the "diamonds" without the hearts. i figured if he were perceptive, he would realize i was wearing his gift. but, he wouldn't think i was going to check "yes" on the "will you be my girlfriend" note.

after third grade, there were many more wonderful valentine's days. some that left me slightly heartbroken and some where my heart soared. and each valentine's day with ryan has been absolutely perfect.

so, as lily and i cut paper hearts yesterday, i became so excited for all the valentine's days to come. so excited to share both love and heartache with her. so excited to enjoy life's celebrations with her. and to show her how overflowing our love for her is.

our children are such a blessing and i am so thankful to get to mother them and shower them in love. we are eagerly anticipating this valentine's day and all those to come!