Valentine's Day with Three Under Three...

Six years ago today, we were blissfully planning a summer wedding with state border between us. Five years ago today, we were newlyweds shivering through our first South Bend winter together. Four years ago today, we were just two anxious excited weeks away from holding our own first bundle of baby. Three years ago, we were under a new roof thanks to the tree that fell on our little house in the woods. Two years ago, we were two days away from holding Isaac for the first time. And a year ago, no trees had fallen, we were enjoying a temperate winter in the South and we were excited about yet another little miracle in the making. And through our days and festivities, Uncle Richard's wedding present has picked up our crumbs and the dust of our comings and goings, given rides to toddlers who saw a horse and whirred accompaniment to our whirlwinds.

Until recently, when the fraying cord threatened sparking and our vacuum began to spit our offerings back at us.

So, ode to the vacuum that is officially dead today, and ode to the romance that isn't. Even with, because of and in spite of all the little people underfoot, in our arms, and very much in our hearts who have joined us in our journey. Even with, because of and in spite of all the crumbs, mess, and sparks that come from living and loving.

I do love that husband that understands that 12 amps of suction can warm my heart as much as 12 roses.