relationship series: loving through parenting

this week's relationship series subject is loving through parenting. on how to grow together while you grow and nurture a child. when i first thought about this prompt, i didn't know what i would bring to the table. of course, there's the experience i've got mama-ing my pup pablo. that time in eighth grade when i took home a "baby think it over" and cared for it for a weekend (did you know that if you turn the key in its back and prop it up against a pillow it will stop crying?) and that fateful month last may when i fostered those four kittens in the shed out back.

but parenting? real, day-in, day-out packing lunches in the morning and tucking the covers under sleepy arms at night? i haven't lived that yet. it's one of the greatest joys in my life that i still have that to look forward to. i married young and finished college early. right now i'm enjoying the interim period between those major changes and the one that will really, truly alter my life.

but i find it so appropriate that today is my sweet mama's birthday.

because if i've learned from anyone how to love and parent simultaneously, it is from my ridiculously romantic mama and dad. the ones who purposely burn popcorn because they like it that way, and settle into the couch every friday night. they used to watch VHS tapes, then DVDs from blockbuster. now the great thrill is which movie dad will bring home from redbox. technology has changed and left old trends in the past, but they haven't.

they don't pin one against each other. if i wanted something when i was young, i never heard "go ask your dad." because what dad would say, mama would say, so there was never any need. they rose early with us on sunday mornings, cooked soft scrambled eggs with cheese, and took the walk with us up our long driveway to get the paper.

they've sat at cheerleading competitions, basketball, soccer and t-ball games as we three kids have found our athletic niches. they loaded us all in the family van every summer and took us down to the beach for a long weekend. stopping at every historical site and battlefield along the way because it's fun and kind of funny.they've gotten down on their knees and prayed with me. on my bedroom floor. across the kitchen table. on a row side by side in church.

but the one thing they've taught me about love through their parenting is this: one child is no better than the other. love them all the same. every time they show my sister or brother attention, they make sure i feel loved too. they have never, ever shown favoritism. and for that, they are my favorite.

i love them to the ends of this earth and back. happy birthday, mama! thank you and dad for teaching me what love is, even when you didn't think i was watching.

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be sure to check out what gina and morgan wrote on this topic and link up below!

a tight pair of genes

on our evening walk yesterday, robert and i came upon this sight. that's my mama and dad, sitting on lawn chairs, on their driveway, reading the newspaper.

perfectly comfortable front porch furniture was mere yards away, with cushions and back support. why they chose to sit on the edge of the pavement, just behind my brother's car and in front of the lamppost is beyond me, but i love it.

because my parents are like that. after almost 29 years of marriage, they are still in love. as we walked toward them, i remembered the time that mama and i flew to chicago to get my senior year prom dress and visit my uncle. my dad stayed behind to take care of my siblings. i'll never forget his eyes glistening with tears as he kissed mama goodbye at the airport terminal. they are never apart.

or the way mama can remember vividly the first time she met dad. at a college party, where their ice-breaking line was the epic "wanna chip?"

i worry about a lot of things in life, but i never worry about my relationships. because they come from strong roots. and last night, as i lowered myself onto the driveway and gathered my legs indian style beneath me, we watched the sun set low in the sky together, then walked into the warm house for dessert.

and i can't wait for the day when that's us. when our kids find us dancing in the kitchen or snuggling on a saturday morning. i can't wait to embarrass them, delight them and ultimately, nurture in them a deep love for others, and pass along this crazy, tight, good-fitting pair of genes.