How do I love thee? Let me count the ways . . .

La Belle Dame Sans Merci by Sir Frank Dicksee

Happy Valentine's Day! Since Morgan is out of town, I didn't think I would get a Valentine at all, which didn't bother me since we just celebrated so much -- my birthday, our 10th anniversary, the anniversary of our first date (we celebrate that every year). Actually, come to think of it, Morgan was out of town for two of those three events! But he brought me sweet presents to make up for it, so I can't complain. But this morning, all of the kids were up by 6:15, and we exchanged heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. Morgan had bought some for me, and Lydia hid them under her bed. Thanks, Sweetie!

The kids have been so excited for Valentine's day. Seriously, they didn't get up that early on Christmas! We only have one Valentine's Day TV special on DVD -- The Charlie Brown Valentine's Day special. So we have watched that a few (hundred) times now. Charlie Brown makes me so sad sometimes. I mean, he is a pretty serious kid anyway, but the Valentine's special is devastating! The first time I watched it this year I ended up sobbing when he brought his briefcase to school, expecting to need something that big to carry all of his Valentines. Of course he didn't receive one. How can those kids be so cruel? And then, Lucy and her friend gave him a used Valentine the next day, and he happily accepted it. I can't stand it! I'm crying now.

Okay, on to a happier subject -- MY Valentine. I thought, in honor of Valentine's Day that I would list 14 reasons I love Morgan:

1. He is patient with me. Not many people would have had the patience he exibited while we were dating.

2. He is confident. That was another reason I was attracted to him while we were dating. He didn't even flinch when I said "Let's be friends" and he seriously was happy to be my friend. He cared about me enough to accept those terms and still stick around.

3. He is a great father. It is so hard on him to have to be away from the kids so much. But he calls every day when he is gone, sends postcards, and always brings them something from his trip to show them he was thinking about them. When he is home he spends as much time with them as possible. He is Braden's assistant den leader in Scouts. He goes to every soccer game, recital, scouting event, parent-teacher conference, etc. He is very involved, and they all have special relationships and bonds with him.

4. He is a good provider. I don't have any worries that we will ever go hungry or homeless. He gives 110% to everything he does.

5. He is handsome.

6. He is taller than me. That was important to me when I was single. Not that I wear high heels very often, but I wanted the option.

7. He helps around the house. He does dishes, laundry, floors, helps with kids' baths, and the list goes on. But he doesn't do windows.

8. He wrote poetry and love letters to me when we were dating, and still does occassionally. He even writes lullabies for our kids.

9. He supports my interests. One of his goals is to make it possible for me to get a masters degree. He recently encouraged me to enroll in a professional photography correspondence course that I am extremely excited about.

10. He humors my obsessiveness.

11. I can trust him.

12. We have similar interests. I am grateful that I don't have to sit through televised sporting events. I have had to become somewhat versed in sci-fi nerdiness, though. Can you believe that I actually know James T. Kirk's middle name?!? I'm not telling, though. It's embarrassing enough that I know it!

13. He massages my feet when I am pregnant. He has also been known to sit on my feet to warm them up like a chicken on her eggs. My mom used to do that for me, and he obligingly took over the role when we got married.

14. He loves me. How could I not love someone who loves me that much?

I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!