I Love You!

I remember the first time Chuck said it to me. Actually he didnt say it. We were sitting in my dorm room with about four other friends. I was seated on my roommate's bed and he was sitting on the floor below me with a notepad doing homework or studying. We were enjoying the company of our friends - laughing, joking, having fun...ya know - studying. He was jotting down notes and every now and then would poke me with his pencil so I would look down at his notebook to see something funny that he had written. One time, however, instead of a funny remark, he had written the words, "I love you Kim." It was such a sweet feeling. When it was time for him to leave we went outside and said the words to each other. I'll never forget it.
And just as clearly, I remember the first time Jonathan told me those words. It was when we had first moved into the townhouse - he was 2. I had tucked him in and went to the door to leave. I turned around, as I did every night and said, "I love you Jonathan." I always waited for a response, but up until then had never gotten one, just a nod and smile. But that night, he said "I wuv you." It made me melt.

Again, I had the joy of hearing these words spoken to me for the first time by someone sooo special to me. She brings so much joy to my life! People tell me she is just like me...I hope they're right, and I hope they're not. As I'm sure all moms of daughters do, I dream that we will always be best friends no matter what. She is so independent, yet loving and caring. She loves to play with her dolls and kiss her figurines. I start to sing to her and she shakes her head and gives me that serious look as she says in her less than 2 year old dialect, "stop." She climbs on the big kid toys at the park - better than the big kids do. She pulls jewelry out of my armoire and piles it on herself. Says "I do it" - and does it! She still likes her milk warm.
Every now and then, and even more so lately, Chuck has been able to take the kids to daycare on his way to work. We usually leave for work right about the same time. This was one of those mornings - and I was on my way out the door first. I turned over my shoulder and said to the kids, "Bye, I love you" and just as I was turning to leave, little Gracie said as clear as day "I love you Mommy!"
These simple little words...