A Love Letter To My Kids

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we asked Patch readers to write a love letter to that special someone and let us deliver it. This is Joan Lowell’s love letter to her children:

Dear Joseph, Jenna, Trent, Maggie, Nadine and Daniella,

They say the love of a parent is a powerful force. “They” forgot to mention all the whining, tears (and other bodily fluids), drama, homework, sassing and arguments, not to mention how much you kids cost! While loving you all isn’t always a party, it is an adventure and mystery! And you know Mommy loves a good mystery ride.

I am writing to tell you that I love you all so much. You are all exactly everything I have ever wanted. Perfect, maybe not, but you are perfect for me. Really, you are my dream come true. True, I wanted to be just like Grama Law, except not with eleven kids. I am far from my lofty goal, but you kids get me just a little closer.

You kids bring out the best in me. When I am frustrated, tired or just want to scream, one smile or hug from one of you melts my heart and chases my bad mood away like a dog with its tail between its legs. I love the rare moments when everything is quiet and I get to snuggle one of you on the couch like a good book. You kids spend all my money and have cost me everything, but somehow I am richer for it -- okay, not literally, but you get the idea.

You push me to the limits of my patience, and somehow, I find more. If one of my Au Pairs shares some struggle, it doesn’t take me long to recall some similar parenting issue with you kids and suggest some options. You’re also fodder for endless jokes and stories with my friends. Thank you for being the sweetest group of smiling faces I could hope to see at the end of any day.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love,
Mom

--Joan Lowell

See all Patch love letters here.

For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to know: What place in town will always be a reminder of love for you? Whether it's the park where you had your first kiss or the restaurant where he proposed, email your story to locallove@patch.com for the chance to be featured. Get more details here.