I’ve been thinking a lot about love this week. Not because of Valentine’s — that part is just a sweet coincidence. As I lay on the couch laid up this week from surgery, I can’t stop thinking about all the love and support I have had. From the evening before my surgery, the outpouring of love has not stopped.
Waking up the morning of surgery to text messages of thoughts and prayers gave me a sense of comfort. I wasn’t all too nervous, but having friends and family behind you makes all the difference.
My husband, who has been my rock through all of this, took off work a few days to be with me. I mean, what a handsome nurse I had! He is still taking good care of me and hated going back to work. I’ll need my other leg done soon, so we decided to spread those days out, even though he has lots of time to take off.
I have two parents who are always eager to take care of me, so my momma came when Chris had to go back to work.
Of course, my dad always stops in to check on me and asks what he can do.
They both call and check on me a few times a day and have been there to help with the kids, food and brought me special little gifts. I told both my momma and dad that I love them more than they know and count my blessings every day that they are my parents.
My brother and his wife are just as good to us. They are always there when we need them. My brother brought me half of Weis a few hours after my surgery. This kid has the most giving heart! My sissy-in-love made us an incredible meal while my sweet little niece made Auntie A picture of her and me. I laid it right next to the envelope that says, “I love you,” in marker, with a picture of our dog Bear inside and seventeen cents from my daughter Kenzy. I told her that money would help me so much with being off work that whole week!! Haha! God love her. Both of my kids have just been so sweet and want to do anything to help me. I’ve been so blown away by the love and support by not just my family but so many others.
Friends who have literally texted me every single day asking how I am feeling and what they can do to help. Church family and my wonderful in-laws who prayed and kept in touch each day. As I am sitting here typing this, one of my best friends, Lindsay, texted me like she has every morning since surgery to check on me. We are planning a pizza and movie night Friday night, and I said, “Can we make our pizza and movie night a PJ kinda night?” Of course, I got an instant “SURE!” I told her I still wasn’t wearing pants yet, so I’d be in my robe and teased her about wearing one with me. There are only very few people I’d wear just a robe around, but we all see each other at our best and worst. Friday will be one of those worst moments, and I can’t wait to make Joe uncomfortable. Ba-haha!! Nah, he is so used to me now that I literally said to Linds that we are all so comfortable around each other that it’s no big deal. When you don’t gotta put pants on when your besties come over, you know that’s a solid relationship! I can’t wait to sing “I’m Sexy, and I Know it” while twirling the robe waist tie around. (I’ll start practicing now, but I don’t think I’ll be doing any high kicks.)
Love is people who always have your backs no matter what. Love is that simple text asking how someone is. Love is a dear friend remembering the day of your surgery even though you told her about it two months prior and haven’t gotten to talk to her since. (Kristen Patryna!) Love is when your friends bring you pizza, and you can eat it in your robe. Love is having two parents who love you so unconditionally it hurts.
Love is being married to your high school sweetheart and falling more in love each year. Love is holding your children close and hearing them call you Momma and Daddy. Love is the one thing we can count on in this life. Without love, we have nothing. So love with all of your heart and love things big and small.
Love is one of God’s greatest gifts!!
Fluffy Icing
Ingredients:
– 4 egg whites
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoon light corn syrup
– 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Bring a shallow pot of water to a boil. Place all the ingredients for the filling in a bowl that can rest in the boiling pot without its bottom touching the boiling water. Beat the ingredients until the bottom of the bowl is too hot to touch. About 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the bowl and beat with the whisk attachment on your stand mixer for about 10 minutes or until fluffy and pretty stiff. You can also use a handheld mixer, but it will take longer.
Top on an angel food cake like I did, or even cookies and cakes!
