Home.

Last week I packed up the kids and we headed north to spend a week at my parent's house. My best friend's sister was getting married and a surprise 50th birthday party for my Dad was brewing, so I felt that a few extra days at home would be a refreshing change. The Internet service is slow and the cell reception is spotty so going home has always been the perfect way to cleanse myself of technology.

My parent's home is a safe haven of sorts. My mom's food is always comforting and she always insists on feeding us way too much, my Dad is always filling us in on the latest news in town with his theatrical dialogue, and my room, well it hasn't changed much in ten years. The smells, the arrangement of furniture, and the clothes nestled in my closet take me back to a time when my biggest worries were getting to track practice on time and finishing my algebra homework before 8:30 a.m.

The love that I had growing up at home has now been funneled to Brecken. When not getting showered with kisses and hugs by Grandma and Grandpa he could usually be found running outside, riding horses with Grandpa, and when the heat finally became unbearable my Mom introduced him to the world of VHS. That little one then took full advantage of the opportunity to lay beneath the cool air conditioner and watch Disney Classics all afternoon.

I lost count how many times he watched Beauty and the Beast and Toy story. I was at my wits end, it was 95 degrees outside and at least 105 inside...

I've also conceded to my Mom. Brecken is completely in love with her. So much in fact that I have this inkling that she may very well be his favorite person in the entire world. She loves him unconditionally, talks to him a sweetest and most calming voice, feeds him continually, and she provides him with the best toys a boy could ever want. She has set the standards high...

And speaking of high standards, my best friends delivered the most beautiful Maid of Honor speech for her sister. One part particularly stood out to me.

"As you sit side-by-side through this roller coaster of life, remember to scream from the peaks, hold hands through the dips, laugh through the loops, and enjoy every twist and turn. For the ride is much better when you share it together.

Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is the progress, and working together is the success."

wow, right?!

Kudos, Martina. If teaching ever fails (which it won't) you will have a true knack for writing beautiful Hallmark cards.