Dear Parents,

I write this post after having 12 hours in bed resting (yes 12 straight hours), a quiet morning drinking coffee while reading a book, listening to raindrops fall and watching a Redbox film. It has been a very relaxing day. And for this, I write to you Mom and Dad.

A little over a week ago I received a text message from my Dad telling me to bring the kids over his house for the weekend of Feb. 11th. I replied, "Ok." The next day I told Anthony and he too was like, "Great. Okay." And our week went on. Work, studying, work, cooking dinner, work, parent conferences, rushed kisses good-bye, bedtime prayer, professional development, work and buying stuff for the  kids Valentine's Day Party. All the while, not remembering the celebrate my on romantic holiday. (This year, 2017, Valentine's Day is on a Tuesday. I work on Tuesdays. It is also the same day for SCS Student Transfer Period in which  will be given 1 day to register the twins for school. And it's the day for my student's Valentine's Party. So I have been busy planning that.) So, having a romantic night on actual Valentine's Day was not a the top of my list. But it was at the top of my Dad's list. After arriving at his house to drop the kids off for the weekend, I sit on his couch to rest my feet. He then explains to me the purpose of this weekend. "Babygirl, I want you and Anthony to have some time to yourselves to celebrate Valentine's Day. I want you guys to enjoy each other." And we have!!!

Mom and Dad, you push back reality, whether for a night or a weekend, to allow me to be myself. For me just to be Patricia. And you allow me to turn back time and be a "girlfriend" to Anthony. Thank you for investing so much time and energy into my marriage and into my family. 

Thank you Mom for always having "Fun Fridays" with the kids. At the end of every long, hard week I am able to relax for a few hours before beginning my weekend cleaning/laundry ritual Saturday morning. Thank you Dad for always being available and willing to take care of sick kids so Anthony and I don't have to take off from work. (Sometimes the kids symptoms don't show until 6am, and Dad still makes it to our house before we need to leave from work.) Thank you Mom for picking up the kids from daycare whenever I'm running or working late. Thank you Dad for buying the kids all the toys we cannot afford. (We have some really good kids, and they deserve to be spoiled.)  

Thank you for still being the BEST PARENTS EVER!!!!

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