Thursday, February 14, 2013

Valentine's Day


I always got Jeremy and Christopher a little something for Valentine's Day.  Of course they're both my Valentine, they stole my heart years and years ago!

Last week I mailed Jeremy a box of goodies to college.  He probably rolled his eyes a little when he opened it but I secretly know he got a kick out of it.  I would. Surprise mail is always exciting.  I mean, how many twenty year olds get Sponge Bob Valentines to share with all the students on his dorm floor???  One at least, mine did this year :-). (I hope he actually passed them out!)

OK, OK, didn't just send him Valentines stuff, there were some other things in the box (to throw him off) but the primary idea behind the package was of course because I love him and he'll always be my special valentine.  I figured if I showed up at his dorm room he might not care for that.... Soooo, a box of treats would have to do.  Happy Valentine's Day Jeremy! 
This year Bailey is my Valentine too.  I'm having dinner with her tonight. I know it's a tough day for her and it would make me happy to be with her.  I'm sad too.
I asked her if she had any pictures from last year which was their one and only Valentine’s Day together.  Of course she had photos of everything!  So sweet, how cute the two of them were together. 

I remember Chris asking me to find a picture to put in the middle of the bears heart so I found one of his baby pictures that I loved and showed him how to trace around the plastic heart shaped cover so the photo would fit perfectly inside.  I don't think he cared much for how it got done, only that I hurried so it was done and wrapped to bring to Bailey (yes, I did his wrapping...)
I also went shopping with him at Hoff's for the earrings the week before.  I'm so glad I did. Nice memories now after realizing I can't do it again.

I have a digital picture frame in my bedroom that scrolls continuously.  It sits next to the TV and would probably annoy most people when watching a show but I find it comforting. When I wake up in the middle of the night I lay there and watch it change frames.  I have several favorites including this one:  
When I woke up last Valentine's Day I found it on the kitchen counter.  It shows the humorous side to Chris (and just FYI, no, I didn't drink the wine at 6am - it stayed under the plastic wrap till evening!)  The picture makes me smile; he did some really funny things sometimes and sent me some hysterical texts.  I wish I had them all but I'm thrilled I have some saved still.
Here's hoping you have a nice St. Valentine's Day.  Share a smile and think a good thought. Maybe be someone’s Valentine rather than wish you had one... that'll make the day a little nicer. :-)  I researched the St. Valentine hoping I'd come upon some interesting facts but I never found much.  I thought it would make for an interesting blog but sorry, I got nothing much to share other than St. Valentine died on the 14th and his story is long and varied.  I'll leave it at that for today but something tells me one of you will fill us all in on him...  Enjoy the day.

Thank you for reading.

25 comments:

  1. Happy Valentine's Day Regina...enjoy your dinner with Bailey tonight. I'm sure that Chris is happy that you and Bailey will be together. ((Hugs)) to you both <3

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  2. Happy Valentine's Day! I too wish you the most special dinner with Bailey. I hope Jeremy feels your love in his care package! I love the funny picture Chris made for you. He is still making people smile!!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Rachael

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  3. Happy Valentines Day Regina & Bailey! I hope today will be a happy reflection of Chris and that dinner is enjoyable. I'll pray he comes to visit during dinner in some manner....PS leave some food for him ;)
    Happy V Day
    Xo Lela

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  4. You two make perfect valentines for each other im so glad you have each other. Ill be thinking about the two of you all day. Praying for your strength and happiness and that chris stays with you today and always.

    Today is hard for my family too. My mom always used to call my nana on valentines day especially to say I love you. When she remembered, I could be sure to get a sweet card in the mail just saying "I love you". I miss that. Im sure there's things you miss too about today, like giving your sons goodies. Youre not alone.

    I will be sure to say I love you today and each and every day. Sometimes its easy to forget how much it means to know that and how quickly we may not be able to tell someone anymore.

    Stay beautiful mrs stewart. Youre loved.

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    1. Happy Valentine's day Hannah!!! Stay sweet!! <3

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    2. Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Annie! (:

      I love everyone who writes on this blog. You're all fantastic.

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  5. Happy Valentine's Day....Enjoy your evening with Bailey....very very sweet....

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  6. Happy Valentines day Regina. Enjoy your dinner with Bailey. I am not doing to much this year. The girls from work and I are doing a little thing at the office for one of the docs, tomorrow is her birthday and she'll be in another office. Otherwise I will come home from work and make dinner for my youngest. I hope you have a wonderful day. Thank you and God bless

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  7. Happy Valentine's Day Regina!

    What wonderful memories!! And yet another example of the boy /man you raised. Chris was certainly a personality :) Thank you for sharing his story with us! Please extend a virtual hug to Bailey. I think she will be your "daughter" for life. She sounds like a wonderful girl.

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  8. Hi Regina,

    Happy Valentine's Day. I'm taking my 14 year old son Joshua to dinner and a movie. We're going to Friendlys. We both love that place. Then I'm taking him to see Silver Linings Playbook. Yeah he groaned about that! I think it will be a great movie though. I hope you have a nice dinner!

    Hugs, Ann

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  9. My husband and I don't do much for Valentines day specifically, but my 6 year old son did this morning. He got out of bed and came into my room to wake me up by saying "Happy Valentine's Day, Mom". This is very out of character for him and I just pulled him under the covers and snuggled for a while. Reading your post today, I know I have to remember it and treasure it forever. I love the plastic wrap on the wine. So funny and clever! He really was such a treasure too, I'm sure.

    Chris will be with you at dinner tonight, maybe he will even make himself known to his two favorite ladies! Happy Valentine's Day to you and Bailey, and all of your family. Thank you for sharing.

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  10. Regina,

    Awwww it is so sweet that you and Bailey are having dinner together. I told my Bailey last night, tomorrow is going to be hard on Bailey Wind...She said I know, with a sad face and sunken heart. But, it makes me happy that you two are going to spend an evening together, where Christopher will no doubt be. I am sure he will be hanging out with his two favorite women where he will definitely be the topic of conversation!

    So toast your amazing son, and the gift that he gave, EVERYONE!! The gift of his shining(amazing) personality, his kind and tender heart, his talent, and his love to you, Bailey and everyone who has personally met him, and those of us who have met him through your blog.

    Enjoy your evening and Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

    God Bless, XO

    "Of all the earthly music, that which reaches farthest into heaven is the beating of a truly loving heart."
    ~Henry Ward Beecher~
    Christopher can feel the love of both your hearts today!

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  11. Happy Valentine's day!!! I sent my 2 1/2 year old off to her first Valentines Day school party today...I wrote the Valentine's cards out to her classmates last night and taped each one to a chocolate from the basket I won at the pancake breakfast raffle. Thought I could share a little with all of them...I hope their parents think its ok???

    Hope you have a great dinner with Bailey! You're so lucky to have each other.

    Have a great day!

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  12. Happy Valentine's Day and thank you for today's post! I laughed out loud reading the note Chris left for you last year. How many teenage boys would think to do something so creative and thoughtful?? So special. Wishing you and Bailey a nice evening together and hoping you both feel Chris's love all day =)

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  13. Happy Valentine's Day!
    Prayers Always

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  14. Happy Valentine's Day, I know that Chris will be with you and Bailey tonight while you have dinner. I do the same for my boys, always buy them things that will make them happy even if it is a silly gift it's the thought that matters. Think of you often and always read your blog. Give yourself a hug from me.

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  15. Happy Valentine's Day Regina! It is just like you to make the best of the situation! What a great night planned, dinner with Bailey! You are truly amazing! You make us all stop and think every day after we read your blog! Have a wonderful night!

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  17. Regina, I took your bait and did a little checking, wondering if you knew it would be me that would… If I’m that predictable, I must re-evaluate!

    Here goes: Nothing is reliably known of St. Valentine except his name and the fact that he died on February 14 on Via Flaminia in the north of Rome. Wickepidia had boring, drawn out facts so I went elsewhere…

    When did it all start?
    There are various theories on the origin of Valentine's Day, but the most popular dates back to the time of the Roman Empire during the reign of Claudius II, 270 A.D. Claudius didn't want men to marry during wartime because he believed single men made better soldiers. Bishop Valentine went against his wishes and performed secret wedding ceremonies. For this, Valentine was jailed and then executed by order of the Emperor on Feb. 14. While in jail, he wrote a love note to the jailor's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

    Side bar: Sound familiar? It should if you watched the movie Valentine’s Day. It’s almost exactly the “lesson” Jennifer Garner taught to her class on Valentine’s Day. If you would like to borrow the movie, I will gladly lend it to you!

    What's Cupid Got to Do with It?

    According to Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Cupid was known to cause people to fall in love by shooting them with his magical arrows. But Cupid didn't just cause others to fall in love - he himself fell deeply in love.

    As legend has it, Cupid fell in love with a mortal maiden named Psyche. Cupid married Psyche, but Venus, jealous of Psyche's beauty, forbade her daughter-in-law to look at Cupid. Psyche, of course, couldn't resist temptation and sneaked a peek at her handsome husband. As punishment, Venus demanded that she perform three hard tasks, the last of which caused Psyche's death.

    Cupid brought Psyche back to life and the gods, moved by their love, granted Pysche immortality. Cupid thus represents the heart and Psyche the (struggles of the) human soul.

    Side bar: Psyche? Really someone named their daughter Psyche?

    A fun fact: About 3 percent of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets. Did you give Happy a Valentine’s gift?

    With my lesson complete, I did want to tell you that I love that Chris was so passionate and caring not only towards Bailey, but he took the time to spoil you a bit by adding his sense of humor and genuiness. He obviously paid attention! I love what he did for you last year. It takes a truly special boy to want to recognize his mom on a holiday that is focused around romance and the gushy love stuff. He truly is a treasure.

    I hope you and Bailey enjoy your evening and that the comfort of being around each other helps you both today. I read that when a loved one passes, they want all of us to know they are around us; and they want us to enjoy OUR life. No guilt. No sadness. No anger. They now have pure unconditional love for us – more than ever before. I know Chris will be so happy you are there with Bailey and that tonight will be good for the both of you.

    Please give Bailey an extra hug from me and Ally and let her know we are thinking of her. And if she would be so kind as to do the same for you, I would so appreciate it!

    Happy Valentine’s Day Regina… God bless

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    1. Justine, I knew you would have an answer..LOL can count on you!...(Happy Valentine's day!)

      Here is a link too It is
      St. Valentines day, The Real Story...

      It is a quick read... interesting...

      https://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/churchandministry/churchhistory/st_valentine_the_real_story.aspx

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  18. I usually read your blog in the morning but had one of those days with no extra time so I didn't get to it until tonight. As I sent my daughter out on her first Valentines day date with her first boyfriend (which I am struggling with her growing up and this new phase in our lives) I was thinking of Chris, you and Bailey and how hard today probably was for you two. I was so happy to log on and see your blog and to know that you and Bailey had each other to spend the night with. I am sure Chris was smiling down on you two happy that you had each other. I hope you enjoyed your evening. Thank you for inspiring us daily. I know you have given me and my kids a better relationship by teaching me to let the small stuff go and enjoy the moment.

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  19. Happy Valentine's Day! I am sure Chris has a hug and kiss for you today! Enjoy dinner with Bailey and give each a nice long hug!

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  20. Dear Regina,

    I thought of you and Bailey many times yesterday and how you were doing. I'm so glad that you have each other. Chris really knew how to pick them! First choosing you as his Mom and then Bailey as his girlfriend.
    I was so struck that on Valentines Day that he actually even thought of his Mom! Especially on a day that I'm sure he was all excited about spending with his sweet girlfriend.
    It wasn't just a simple store bought card.. But so thoughtful... I can't get over him.
    As for Bailey.. It takes maturity and amazing strength to form this even closer bond with you.. She is also wise beyond her years. What a blessing you are to each other. I love seeing and hearing about the relationship that both families have with each other. I'm sure Chris is beyond thrilled and is right there with all of you..I hope you can feel him.. Because where else would he be??!!
    I hope that you and Bailey had a nice time enjoying each others company and that Chris had a very Happy Valentines Day with his two favorite girls!
    Xoxo
    Sharon

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  21. Regina,

    Catching up on a few days of your blogs. My youngest son had hip surgery this week so it's been a little crazy. I hope you and Bailey enjoyed your Valentine's dinner. It's so nice the two of you have the special relationship where you are able to share time together. I am sure Chris smiles down upon the two of you.

    Having been married 27 years with four kids, V-Day isn't a biggie in my house! My husband and I usually give each other small gifts and we have a nice family dinner. Having been sick last week and then Connor having surgery this week threw me off schedule. Luckily there's a Subway on the campus and my husband grabs lunch there every so often...made it easy for a last minute gift idea!

    I loved when the kids were little, picking out Valentine's with them for their classmates. I was a room parent for 15 years and that was always fun too! When my older two were away at college, I always sent care packages for holidays!

    I am glad you had the special gift of helping Chris pick out the gifts for Bailey last year. I know how much fun that is!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs and peace.

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  22. Happy Belated Valentine's Day! I'm sure your dinner was Bailey was beautiful and perfect with a few laughs, just as Chris would have wanted it. and I'm sure he was there with the two of you all night.

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