A Different Sort of Valentine

"A simple melody of tender character - a kind of narrative poem." 

So reads one of the dictionary's definition of Romance.  This then is my attempt at such.  This is not about chocolates, roses and pink champagne, tho there is that aspect in what I shall try to put before you.

It is about love, love of that abiding, deep and lasting sort, the happily-ever-after kind. It is the love that alters not when it alteration finds.

It is about The Lads, the title my heart has given them.  These four (and there are yet to be others in future) have been added to our clan first and foremost by the Hidden Hand why guides all hearts and their affairs.

The manner in which each of these young men was added to us is the stuff of the best fairy tales but tempered with enough reality to be fine and true.

All of these lads are of a quiet, reserved, steady sort of nature, (but not without great wit and good humor).  It is no doubt that we as a family, with our boisterous ways quite overwhelmed them in the beginning.  Certainly they were added to balance, to perfection, the lives of our girls which they chose as well as the rest of us.

To their credit, they each have worked to, not only adjust, but to actually become part of the whole.  They have made an effort to connect with one another as outsiders coming into the mix. 

There are many reasons why these four make my heart glad.  They are each involved very much in the real world in order to support their growing families.  Yet each of them in their quiet ways romance their wives throughout each year, not just February 14th. They live out their love on a daily basis.

They cherish their wives, they delight in their children, as well as in each others. They are devoted to their mothers-in-law in a most uncommon way. Because those MILs are my own kith and kin, this matters.

Best of all, they are each continually growing in their love for the One Who Is Love. That reflected love is perhaps why they do what they do so well.

Perhaps their parents and maybe even their wives could point out flaw in them.  I, for one, would be hard pressed to acknowledge any.

So a very Happy Valentines Day to our Lads, their wives and Littles.

And to you Dear Reader as well.