Video offers beautiful subtleties that pictures just can’t: my mom’s affectionate mannerisms, my nephews’ voices, the twinkle in my niece’s eye when I tell her how gorgeous she is, and the slow progression of my husband’s mischievous smile when he’s said something he knows I’d deem inappropriate.
Read MoreThis is Love
carrying my fuchsia camping chair into Bantam football games and unfolding it for me, only to pack it back up afterward... This is love
Read Moreyou are
you are the glitter to my craft bin
Read MoreThe Centerpiece
You emanate this luminous, soothing aura throughout entire rooms. Everyone is happier, more present. This is your magical power.
Read MoreOur Owen
Our Owen. The first born. The leader. The one who turns seven today. The one who is a fascinating, delicate mix of baby and tween.
Read More41 Phrases That Also Mean "I Love You"
Sometimes those three words are hidden in everyday conversation. We're loved. We just have to listen carefully.
Read MoreBattle of the Inner Voices
This is hopeless. I don't have time for this. This never-ending back problem is wrecking my dreams.
There is plenty of time for me to get to where I want to be. My body is a living, breathing miracle.
Read MoreFive
My favorite is when you smile with your lips together. You tilt your head slightly, and your expressive, Carolina blue eyes become crescent moons. The dimple on your left cheek is the cherry on top of an already perfect ice cream sundae.
Read MoreAlyx Rae
Your hair like soft feathers,
Your heart is pure peace,
You've captivated everyone,
Our obsession won't cease.
Four
I wish I could lift your tiny rib cage over my head forever, the way I do when I'm laying on the floor, looking up at you, airplane style. Your tiny, fit frame is still easy to hold. I look up, nearly blinded by that buried dimple of yours, dazzling like a marquee diamond.
Read MoreFinding Peace After Midnight
"Oh, how thrilling!” they’d burst upon discovering that Mickey Mouse signed my paychecks. “That must be so fulfilling, so magical! Your parents must be so proud!” The truth is, it was fulfilling, and they were proud, but there was something about that question, “Where do you work?” that pretzeled my insides.
Read MoreWhy You're My Valentine
You’re my Valentine, because we’re lovers and companions. We’ve got a Will and Grace friendship fused with soap opera passion, and we know that’s like, impossibly rare, so together we fight. And we stay. And we love.
Read More
Little boys, who believe with their whole hearts, bouncing around in cotton pajamas. Shimmering lights on sturdy trees. Packages cinched exquisitely with glossy, gold ribbon.