I always knew without a doubt that I was loved as a kid.  Hugs, kisses, “I love you’s” and praise were doled out liberally  in my house.  Mom and Dad attended all our school functions, supported us in our decisions – big & small, and always were there for us.  Love in my family was like air- it was just there.

But it wasn’t until Scorch was born and I felt for the first time that all consuming love for my child that I realized just how very much my parents loved me.

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Up until this year, the longest I had ever gone between seeing at least one of my parents was 6 weeks. But this year, my parents became snow birds and migrated south to FL for Jan and Feb.  Yes, I’m in my 30’s and I cried the night we said goodbye to them before they left.  While they were gone, we talked daily and Skyped a few times a week but it wasn’t the same for me or the kiddos- not when we were used to seeing them at least once a week.

That is why Scorch and Bean were practically vibrating with anticipation as we drove to meet my Dad for dinner tonight. The grins and shrieks when they saw their Papa were stinking priceless- even the people at the tables around us said it was the sweetest thing!  Papa holds a special place in my kids lives and we are all so happy he’s home!