We love you back.

First of all, I was overwhelmed with both personal and public responses to my last post-thank you so much for your comments. I debated on whether to post about this struggle that is so personal. You made me feel less exposed by saying in a lot of different ways-“We feel ya sister.” So from one sturdy girl to all you other make-up-less, pony-tailed girls out there-thank you 🙂

So, this week I had fun news to share remember? Welp, as the world of isolation turns, the fun news was postponed because of a runny nose. But, I’m going to share it anyway even though, unfortunately I don’t have pics. We feel very honored that the Ronald McDonald House has asked us to be a feature family in this year’s annual report! Most of you know that RMH was our home for the 5 months Tuckerbug spent in the NICU. We love them. They love us. It’s a big sappy love fest when we see each other so we are very excited to be featured in their big glossy annual report. Our photo shoot for the spread was supposed to be last week but the photographer started feeling ill the day before, so given our isolation, we had to postpone until next week. We’ll share more then, but we can’t wait!

Ok. Yesterday was Valentines Day. I’ve observed a wide spectrum of sentiments about this specific day in my 30…er something years. Some people LOVE it. I mean…L.O.V.E. it. The candy, the flowers, the pronouncement of love manifested in a singing barbershop quartet sent to your office (oh yes, it exists-I’ve seen it). And some people equally despise the day. They go out of their way not to celebrate it in any way. They vote Cupid off the island. Throw the rose back at the Bachelor. Tell the barbershop quartet to put a sock in it.

And then there’s the middle of the line V-day celebrators. That’s probably my tempo. I don’t live for it, but don’t despise it either. I think it’s sweet that Bob sent Mary Ann a barbershop quartet after 32 years of marriage. And I was single for V-day enough times that I can absolutely appreciate that the sight of over-sized heart balloons makes you inwardly groan.

But love means a lot of things. And it’s shown a lot of ways. And this year-Team Hucks got a Lot. Of. Love. On days that weren’t Valentines. In junior high, we used to buy and send “Valentine-o-grams”. It was cheesy. But, you’ve sent us some pretty awesome Valentine-o-grams this year, in your own, perfect, way. So, I thought this was a good time to thank you.

This year-this is how you loved us:

• Prayer. Non-stop for our family.
• Prices Chicken Coop delivered to the hospital. Because you knew I needed tater tots
• Taking care of our baby around the clock-when we couldn’t yet (that means you, NICU nurses)
• Letting us into this new micro preemie group-and walking us through what it means
• Meals delivered to our house when we finally brought T home
• Words of encouragement, whether you have a preemie or not
• Dropping everything to drive to the hospital and sit and pray  in a waiting room the night Tucker was born
• Begging God on the rough days, to heal our boy
• Immediately reaching for the Purell when you stop by-without even being asked
• Totally understanding when we couldn’t be there for Thankgiving, Christmas, Birthdays
• Following us and encouraging us from all over the world-literally
• Donating to so many causes on Tucker’s behalf
• Always bringing dessert
• Being there, for anything, at any time (we’re talking to you nana, papa and Maw Maw)
• Setting up Tucker’s completely unfinished nursery because we didn’t have time
• Using an entire can of Lysol in your house so I could get a rare girls night
• Calling/Texting/Emailing even though you haven’t laid eyes on us in over 6 months
• Cheering Tucker’s triumphs and thanking God for his answered prayers

This post is to you. You, who knew us before we even stepped foot into a NICU and have done all you can to understand preemie world and love us through this year. And to you, who we’ve come to know only because we stepped foot into a NICU and have done all you can to help us navigate through this year. 

We love you back.

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2