A Real Valentine's Day

I used to envision myself opening a pretty Tiffany blue box on Valentine's Day, breakfast in bed, and sonnets written in my honor. Reality after ten and a half years of marriage is a heartfelt Hallmark card, a run to the Starbucks drive-thru after preschool drop-off, and new Barbie clothes for the girls wrapped in brightly colored cupcake wrapping paper with a heart shaped box of chocolates.

Sure, it's easy to dream about that greener grass on the other side of the fence, and yeah (!) I'd still love to have that blue Tiffany box, but occasionally I am reminded of what real love looks like. And this time it was in the form of this little note that my kindergartner surprised me with, so proud of her own spelling skills.

Real love is when your four year old gives you a goldfish cracker crumb hug, when your man helps you sand down a project because he knows your hands are getting tired, when your dog wants to snuggle on the couch after a long day, when your six year old sneaks off to the living room to pen you a love note.

Forget the Tiffany box...I'd say I have it pretty good.

Happy Valentine's Day!