Blog a la Cart

I’m one of those people that says, “I love you,” a lot. All the time. Constantly. Relentlessly so.

And I mean it every time I say it.

I say it at the end of any phone conversation with someone I love.

I write it out in emails.

My household is inundated with I love yous, and hugs, and kisses, and terms of endearment.

In my mind, we only get this life with those that we love, so why not ensure that they feel that love every day? Why not let them feel overwhelmingly, exhaustively loved?

There is no such thing as too much love. There cannot possibly be.

Sunny and I usually read 3-4 books a night. I try to mix things up, but last week I ended every story session with Guess How Much I Love You?. I cannot read that book without tearing up at the end. It makes my mommy heart ache with recognition because I feel every bit of Big Nutbrown Hare’s sentiments.

Yes, I’m relating to a hare these days, and what?

Two nights ago, I ended storytime with I Took the Moon for a Walk. I went to lift Sunny into her crib, and she said, “No mommy. Read rabbits.”

I couldn’t resist this request as the book had become a favorite of mine as well.

I watched Addison as I read, seeing a smile sneak across her face each time Little Nutbrown Hare described his love for Big Nutbrown Hare, and Big Nutbrown Hare countered with even bigger love.

She smiled. And sighed. And relaxed into the story.

It ended, and she pleaded, “Again.”

And so we read it again.

After the second reading, I tucked her into her crib. I told her, “I love you right up to the moon and back. I love you, Sunny.”

And she replied, “I love you, Mommy.”

There have been no greater words spoken in the history of the Universe.

I just hope she shares my propensity to say those words constantly, relentlessly, always.