Three years ago, the day after Valentine's Day, our family became so much richer with the birth of two sweet little twin boys. Our family had never known twins before. What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than this personification of love. Watching these two little boys grow up has been one of those wonderful joys that grandparenthood grants you.
This weekend we traveled to Rhode Island to celebrate the birthday of these special little guys. Twins they are, but so different they be.
Elliot, the "older" of the two, is rounder and more solid. He is shyer and more cautious than Albion in new situations. He loves music and playing his guitar.
Albion, so much like Brett when he was small, is very wiry and muscular. With his coordination he has all the makings of a little athlete. Where Elliot is shy, Albion has no fear and greets strangers with a big smile and a happy "hi".
The boys love to be read to. They enjoy their books so much that they were very happy to join the family in a group read as Elizabeth read everyone her favorite princess story. If a little boy will stop what he's doing and listen to something princess, then you know he loves to be read to.
Kara and her family joined us for the day. 
To have the three generations of Cortesi women together was a nice treat.
The twins have finally reached the age when they can enjoy playing with their cousins. That is so special, especially when I think of the special times I had, and still have, with my own cousins. How lucky we are that we all live close enough so that we can enjoy each other.
Happy Birthday little guys. We love you both so much. You brighten up our lives.
One Valentine season, about twenty-some years ago, a little 7 year old boy confided that he needed me to help him buy a valentine gift. "Just a little box with some candy," he earnestly said. So we went shopping together and he very carefully picked out a little box with some candy hearts. Even after some prodding he wouldn't tell me who it was for. But I had a feeling that this son of mine wasn't buying this gift for his mother. I was right. On Valentine's day he boarded the bus carefully holding his precious candy box, and there were stars in his eyes. After school he told me that he gave the box to Sarah, the little girl who lived next door. A little girl who had captured his little boy heart. That little boy is grown now but he hasn't lost that special ability to show someone that he cares about them.
And so goes the Valentine spirit. It's not about giving the biggest and the best gift. Or even about giving a gift at all. It's just showing someone that you care. It doesn't have to be a romantic someone. It can be father, mother, sister, brother, friend.......even your dog. It's just a reminder to that special someone that they are important in your life.
In elementary school there was always that big cardboard box decorated with hearts and a slit cut in the top for stuffing valentine cards. As they were passed out I carefully counted. If I was short I looked around and wondered who it was that didn't like me. Most were signed generically with "your friend" and a name. One year I received one signed "From your 'ture' love". He couldn't spell but I guessed that he must have thought of me as a little more than a friend.
When I was 14 a boy I didn't like very well left a gold colored plastic necklace in my locker on Valentine's Day. Although he obviously liked me much more than I liked him I wore the necklace because anyone who was kind enough to think of me deserved to have his necklace worn, at least until (thankfully) the plastic broke into pieces and it was unwearable.
Paul's gifts over the years have been small but symbolic. Sometimes it has been just a simple card, either hand-made or store bought. The message on the card has always been sweet and meaningful. Chocolates sometimes have accompanied the card. One year he and the children had a "Happy Valentine's Day" greeting printed in the local paper to "Mom". I have never wanted more than that. Nothing big and fancy. Just a sweet and simple "I love you".
This year he gave me a very nice stainless steel water bottle (stuffed with truffles..yum!). He doesn't think the toxins in the plastic water bottles I drink from are good for me. Just another little something that shows he cares and wants me around for a while longer. Except....hmmm........the water bottle was made in China. I wonder what that means.
Tell me, what was the smallest but most memorable gift that you have ever gotten for Valentine's day??
Three years ago, the day after Valentine's Day, our family became so much richer with the birth of two sweet little twin boys. Our family had never known twins before. What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than this personification of love. Watching these two little boys grow up has been one of those wonderful joys that grandparenthood grants you.
Elliot, the "older" of the two, is rounder and more solid. He is shyer and more cautious than Albion in new situations. He loves music and playing his guitar.
Albion, so much like Brett when he was small, is very wiry and muscular. With his coordination he has all the makings of a little athlete. Where Elliot is shy, Albion has no fear and greets strangers with a big smile and a happy "hi".
The boys love to be read to. They enjoy their books so much that they were very happy to join the family in a group read as Elizabeth read everyone her favorite princess story. If a little boy will stop what he's doing and listen to something princess, then you know he loves to be read to.
To have the three generations of Cortesi women together was a nice treat. 
The twins have finally reached the age when they can enjoy playing with their cousins. That is so special, especially when I think of the special times I had, and still have, with my own cousins. How lucky we are that we all live close enough so that we can enjoy each other. 