Life is full of milestones. Births, weddings, reunions, and the list goes on. This weekend, our family celebrated two such milestones: a college graduation for one and turning twenty-one for another.
Both big moments filled with gifts, cheers, and family dinners, all held tightly in place with one important glue—love. Not the greeting card type, no, this love is meatier than that. It’s the love that sticks by you no matter what. This love asks hard questions and then embraces you just the way you are.
Love may start as a trickle, and before you know it, a swell, a tsunami, overtakes you. But love has another characteristic, it opens its arms and gives space for each of us to grow and become who we are. Love allows us to answer the question, “Who am I?”
My heart is overflowing. The best I can do today is share my twenty-one reasons for loving this one.
21 Reasons
Soft skin against a cheek
Eyes sparkling
Blond curls bouncing
A smile
And a laugh that fills the room
Small hand holding tight
Then letting go, chasing the day
Determination: dig a hole
Build a city
Humongous hugs
Unbridled curiosity about—everything
Bedtime stories, from a book and inside the mind
Always knowing how to get from here to there
Kindness
Cavalier climber
Fearless swimmer diving into and below
Trustworthy friend
Thinker and imaginer extraordinaire
Tall, lean, stronger than you know
Courage to face uncertainty
Hey dude, never forget . . . you are loved.
I often say, “I love you,” but the reasons are what matter, the substance. Who do you love? Give them a couple of reasons why. We all need to know what makes us lovable.
A song for you
A few words about love
“When you love someone, you love the person as they are, and not as you’d like them to be.”
—Leo Tolstoy
“The mark of a wild heart, is living out the paradox of love in our lives. It’s the ability to be tough and tender, excited and scared, brave and afraid—all in the same moment. It’s showing up in our vulnerability and our courage, being both fierce and kind.”
—Brené Brown
And always—
Be kind. Be brave. Be you.
I always welcome your thoughts, so please leave a comment
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Photos: © Kathryn LeRoy
The Wonder of Mountains
One of Many Paths
Mount Crested Butte, Colorado
Congrats lovely friend for all the milestones unfurling for you and your lovely family this month. I’m so happy to read this. Congrats too to the young’uns who are all deserving. They are blessed 🥹 for having you. May all continue in the smoothest course. May God always be your guide. I bless you.
The years pass too quickly, but the joyous moments continue. Thank you!