Happy Valentine's Day!

Just what makes  a "heart happy day"...is it the bouquet sitting on a desk , although beautiful and a welcome addition to any winter day it seems if you dig deep it is much more than that.

It's the heart that gave your teenage sons each a silver baby cup with their birthdays inscribed to let them know your family was about to be reborn and starting anew on your wedding day.

It's the heart that gave you a baby calf to bottle feed, pigs to chase, and puppies from the pound.

It's the heart that held you and your sons up as you buried a nephew just starting his life, a heart that picked you up off the floor as you sat helpless at the loss of your best friend, who brushed the tears away as you buried not one, but two mothers and countless family members.

It's the heart that takes you to new heights, roller coasters in Las Vegas, para sailing in Mexico and soaring towers in Chicago.

It's the heart that holds the tiny hands of your children's children in his and calls himself "grandpa", the heart that catches fireflies, holds the back of the bicycle as you learn to ride, takes you to the zoo, sits through sporting events cheering you on or rocks you to sleep.

It's the heart that bakes cookies, keeps meals in the crock pot and fills the swimming pool, changes the oil in your car, washes the windshield and pumps gas on a cold day.  

It's the heart that watches you make mistakes, lives through your mood swings, listens to you grumble and never complains.

So for every beautiful bouquet, box of chocolates and card given the past 25 years I say thank you....but for all the above, I say.... "I Love You", Valentine!