Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm a lucky Valentine, how about you?

To my first Valentine, Mi Miguelito:  Thank you for loving me, for being my partner in crime on everything good and bad, and for always having a hand to hold.  Thank you also for the gift of my other favorite valentines, our beautiful children and the incredible way you are their Dadda – I’m so glad they take after you!  I love you Mike!

To my second Valentine, my Little Man:  I can’t imagine my life without your constant conversation, your incredible insight, and the way you better than anyone else in my life always know exactly when I need a hug, even if you’re the not-so-great-reason I need it right then!  Thank you for telling me you will “always love me” even if I’m mad at you.  And for all the great things you do that make me not mad, but incredibly, incredibly proud!  I love you Adrian! 

To my third Valentine, my Beanie:  You were God’s shining grace in our lives when you arrived a few years ago, and have continued to be so.  You share so many things I don’t deserve – from the best hugs ever, to the way you love everyone from Dadda and me to your brother and baby dolls.  Thank you for sharing God’s sweetness, energy, smiles, thoughts, silliness and snuggles all through your own!  I love you Lilly!    

To my fourth+ Valentine, my (big) family:  From those couples who started it all a few generations ago, to those parents who continued it in their raising and loving me, to those siblings who help me understand life’s realities from reconciliation to gut-splitting-laughter, and even to those extended family members who just know how to be not just family but friends, and how to be there for one another no matter how far apart or how BIG our family gets – here is to my (big) family and all the ways they have lived and shared love over the years!  I love you all!