Love Month

This weekend we had beautiful weather and while Jack was washing the car and Elliot playing in the garage, I decided to clean out some of the remaining boxes from our move, three years ago. Better late than never right?

I was going through this one box where I had things that were from when I lived at home with my parents and found so many memories. I have kept every single card, note and letter that Jack has ever given me in the almost nine years we have been together which is a lot of stuff, and it brought back so many amazing memories. The first Valentine's card, first birthday card, love letters where he expressed his feelings in ways that made my heart skip a beat. He wrote "I can't wait to marry you!" a lot and "I love you more than I can say!" I've always loved his handwriting too!





We used to write love letters to each other back then saying how much we loved each other, before we got married and how we couldn't wait to be married and start that part of our lives. We also had the letters that mentioned we had had a fight, but how that didn't make him feel any different about us. I felt all of the feelings when reading them and I saved some so that Jack and I could open them together again and read what he wrote years ago. We laughed about what he wrote with a knot in our throats remembering those times saying "remember this? I remember that time!"

Going through that box was a great reminder that now all those years later, we still feel the same if not more in love with each other as we have gone through marriage, parenthood, the stresses of life, of owning a house, having bills to pay, and car payments, and the many things that make marriage so hard and so wonderful at the same time. Sometimes we are going through the days on what seems like fast forward x8 and that is okay because it is part of life, but reading the letters and cards also made me realize that we need to slow down.

They reminded us that no matter what, we have each other's backs just like we did when we met and fell in love. We may not write each other those long love letters as we used to, but we talk to each other and tell each other how we feel. While it's certainly not butterflies and rainbows all of the time, at the end of the day we feel how we felt in those love letters and notes and cards. We are happy and we are pushing through life together, plus there are still love notes that we leave each other in our lunch bags or around the house and those make our marriage and life a lot sweeter.

Enjoy your loved ones everyday, tell them and show them how much you love them this month and everyday! ;)

Be My Valentine.

Is it just me or does every Valentine's Day keep creeping in sooner and sooner every year? It feels that way. Ever since I met Jack, our Valentine's have always been about making something for each other then of course giving each other our favorite treat, chocolate. It's just a simple little way we have to show our love for each other. It has never been extravagant by any means and I like it that way. We never go anywhere (except for one year) because for one, it's always packed everywhere, and two, it's just nicer to stay home and celebrate our own way. This year just creeped up on us and we were completely unprepared. Jack has been working OT for the past few days and has been getting home at midnight. Last night was no exception and that at least gave me some time to prepare what I had in mind for this year.

I actually went to the store (huge mistake) to get what I needed for my card. I had to fight the crowds buying roses, the humongous teddy bears, cards, chocolates etc. Thank God I didn't have to go down the Valentine's isle. It was insane. I made it out alive, mind you I had Elliot with me, and headed home with the goodies. I waited till he fell asleep and got to crafting away.

I opted for a very simple card this time using watercolors. I had been pinning away on this board for cute ideas on DIY cards. They have so many great cards that are simple and so easy to make! I could have gone on forever pinning away. I really wish I were the type to bake and make all these heart shaped things but I'm not. Plus I had zero time! So this is what Jack got. His favorite chocolate and a cute card. He got home so late that when I woke up in the morning, I peeked in the kitchen and everything was still intact which made me wonder if he was so tired he missed it! He says he did see it, but who knows ;)

I have been having my own little celebration with some pretty drinks. One thing that we absolutely always have to have is sparkling water. Always. So to make it more interesting we add lime or fruit to it. Strawberry sparkling water is so good and is a perfect Valentine's drink. This is a nice way to make it less boring.

Of course as soon as Target put these on the shelves I was already there. :) Why do they always have to have the cutest stuff? You're killing me Target! These are the cutest plates and sippy cups I've ever seen!

Look at this tiny little baby. He was six days shy of two months old. Sweetest Valentine's gift ever!

Now at a year old. It's crazy that we are celebrating his second Valentine's Day. Time goes by way too fast. I cannot wait to see what goodies he's gonna give mama and daddy from daycare!



Happy Valentine's Day friends! :)

P.S. Jack, "There better be something in there I haven't already seen". :)