Valentine

My niece posing with that hilarious smile that three year olds do when you tell them to say "cheese"

Happy Valentines day y'all! We are all sick on the home front. Maya and I have the lovely strep throat and the boys are not a hundred percent so we're gonna lay low today. I was able to mutter up some energy this morning to make some heart shaped pancakes while we exchanged home made cards and the kids were presented with cheesy stuffed animals. I know it's selfish, but I'm kind of glad that we confirmed that Maya has the same thing as myself because now I can still cuddle her and kiss her and not worry about giving her anything.  Some people talk about how valentines day is just an excuse for card companies and florists to make lots of money - and they are mostly right - but why not use it as an excuse to make your loved ones feel extra special an remind them how important they are? Yes we should do that every day but today is the day where you can say it with chocolates!

So this afternoon as the babes slept I saw this picture while checking out my facebook. My brother had a flower delivered to his daughter at preschool today. It immediately gave me warm fuzzies because it reminds me of when our Dad used to do the same thing for us on valentines day when we were kids. Every year I would get a knock on my classroom door and they would announce that there was a special delivery for me. Sure, at the time it was a little embarrassing being centred out in front of everyone (I was an extremely shy kid), but as I grew older I really appreciated the gesture. Even in my adult years there were a few times when my Dad would send a bouquet of flowers to my work "just because".  My Dad is a bit of a sentimental schmuck and was never hesitant to show his affection for his kids.

Seeing this picture is the perfect way to illustrate just how much impact a father can have on his sons and daughters in the way of relationships.  I am always going on and on about this with Chris, ever since our kids have been born. I am always reminding him how important his relationship with his kids will be in establishing their self worth, as well as how they should expect to be treated (and how they should treat others).  I can tell Chris is often mindful of this when interacting with our kids. I can also tell that my father did a good job setting an example for my brother because he has turned out to be a loving husband and father himself. One who is present, who shows affection, and who has taught his daughter that she is loved and deserves to be treated well.  His simple gesture on Valentines day - starting a tradition with his own daughter - is a perfect example of how simple things can go a long way. My Dad probably didn't really think about the impact that his actions would have on his kids later on in life, but now that it is has come full circle, he can be proud of a job well done.  His kids grew up feeling loved and important, and now thanks to him so will his grandkids.