Have you ever received a love letter? How many have you written? Do you save love letters, reread them?
Holding my firstborn in my arms after she was born, taking in her scent, the softness of her skin, and her contented breathing and cooing – that was my first “love letter” from her. After the two-week “honeymoon” period, she was pretty fussy in the afternoons. I began to wonder if I was doing something wrong. But then one day, I smiled at her, and she smiled back! What a powerful message of love that was!
I’ve had many love moments with both of my children. I’ve saved every Valentine, birthday card, homemade card, and love note from them. Now they are both in their 20’s, and sometimes I wonder how many love letters they have from me.
As a parent, so much of my time was spent getting them ready for something…getting ready for daycare, for school, for soccer, football, dance, for college, for being as adult.
When they came down the stairs first thing in the morning, instead of a look of delight at seeing them, I probably looked to see if they were dressed appropriately. Was their hair brushed, teeth brushed, was everything packed? Why are you dressed in your bathing suit when it is 30 degrees outside? Why did you kick off the shoe I just put on you??
I love the people they have grown up to be, but I also miss those days. I miss the closeness of when they were small. I wrote some things in my kids’ baby books (more for the 1st than for the 2nd), but I didn’t take time over the years to write notes to let my kids know how special they were to me at that moment, in that stage of life.
Do you wish you had a few more love letters to leave for your children?
When I work with a family, the whole experience is a love letter from parent to child.
From the initial design consultation where we talk about what you love best about your kids and your family to the session itself where you have taken time out of your busy schedule to enjoy your family, cuddle, and laugh with them. The portrait hanging on you wall will speak of your love for your children every day.
When you receive the framed wall portrait, there is a surprise on the back – a little pouch with a piece of paper and suggestions for writing a love note to your child. This love note will live, hidden, behind your portrait.
Then, someday, maybe when your child moves into a home of her own, you will pass down the portrait to your child, and what will she find on the back? A love note from you written many years ago describing your love for her. What could be a better gift?
