When I met your Dad, one of the first things that stood out for me was that he cared more about my happiness than his own. He began showering me with greeting cards, for occasions, and if no special occasion was evident, he would create his own. He sent me cards to brighten my day or if he knew I was struggling with something. Any milestone date was fair game. He would send me a card to tell me he loved me, and on special dates, such as our anniversary, he would shower me with multiple cards. Each card would always have more than just his name, and he would write something to express his emotion to me. In fact, were it not for his love of greeting cards, I am not sure we would have ended up together.

After I met your Dad, I went on a trip to Mexico solo. It was the first time I had ever left the U.S.  This was a daring move for me, but I wanted a warm sunny beach, with crystal clear water, so I had decided to take a trip to Cozumel, even if it meant going alone. Before leaving, your Dad gave me a card and told me to not open or read it until I got to Mexico. I did, and this card had some carefully crafted words about what I meant to him. For years, I was distraught because I lost this card. But I do remember some of what it said. It said that he considered me a flower, and was lucky enough to watch me bloom, among other things. I read that card over and over again while in Mexico, and realized that perhaps this Jon could be more than just a friend for me. It was a pivotal change in our relationship because I missed your Dad so much.

So, while some may consider cards sappy, I do not. I fully understand the value of your Dad’s card giving, and encourage you to acquire the same habit when you want to make someone feel special. Because of this habit, I am lucky enough to still have some of the cards your Dad gave me. And, after we fell in love, your Dad had his signature closing in each card. It would say AML ATT, or if spelled out “All my love, all the time”. Another thing he often did was to write “I love you big time”. He would also motion with his hands, and point to his watch, to remind me that he loved me big time.

Dane, if you can remember when you were in the lower school literary meetings, I would always look at you as you were walking in or out of the auditorium, and point to my eye, heart, and then at you. This was my way of saying “I love you”. I just starting doing that, without really thinking about it. But, if I had to guess, it was probably me channeling your Dad. He could look across a room, or a large cafeteria at work, and with a simple gesture, I knew he loved me.