OHHHHHH Valentine's Day

To: Nate
Love: Erika

Happy Valentine's Day!

Candy heart "Kiss Me"
Candy heart "Hug Me"
Candy heart "Lover Boy"
Candy heart "Forever"

I was just remembering how in elementary school when we'd make Valentine's Day boxes and get all creative and then pass out Valentines to everyone with candy hearts stuck in the envelopes. And I would read every candy heart that came out of the boys' envelopes and take them LITERALLY. "Oh my gosh, Josh gave me one that said 'Marry Me'!!" Yeah pretty dumb. Hey, all I knew is that I was VERY careful with the ones I put in the boys' valentines. I played it safe with stuff like "Sun shine" and "Cool" unless I REALLY liked them. So I was sure everyone else did it that way... it's kinda funny now, considering their mothers probably threw them in there.

Then junior high hit and Valentine's day became the most depressing day of the year. I mean, whose idea was it to have the school let you have flowers sent to people? I still remember, the last period of the day, anticipating that pile of flowers being delivered to the classroom and HOPING BEYOND HOPE one was for me. It didn't help my friend Bree would get one EVERY YEAR (yes, Bree, I was jealous.) Ah, the bitterness of Valentine's Day. One year my friend Lisa and I even sent a flower to each other anonymously so we could make people think we were loved. (Sorry Lisa I just spilled the beans about our pathetic-ness. It's funny now, right?)

The first rose I ever got besides from my dad (thanks dad) was from... NATE! Yep I was 15 and he dropped one off at my house that Valentine's Day... and then proceeded to give one to two of my other friends, BUT I didn't care cause we were all friends at the time and just that he thought to do that was sweet. Then, my junior year I was walking through the halls after school and there were flowers EVERYWHERE and I was just thinking "THIS is why I hate Valentine's Day!" when there was Nate with a bouquet of yellow roses. See how he was my best guy friend ever??? Then of course, my senior year we were dating, having FINALLY moved on to the romantic phase of our relationship, so needless to say Valentine's Day was the best that year.

And now we have a little family! NATE BABY I LOVE YOU ! ! ! ! Thanks for being my Valentine for NOW and ALWAYS!!!

Making our babies laugh, what he does best.