A full heart, full of love that is...

With February fast approaching, and my secret obsession with Valentine's Day, what better time than now to talk about love.  If you read my profile, you know that my family is kinda my world.  Today my family made my heart full.  Full to the brim with love. 

Let me give you a little background on my family.  My Dad's side shares what we have termed, the Greenfield hug.  In other words, we don't hug.  We are not affectionate.  We rarely gush the words, "I love you."  It's just how we roll.  My Mom's side, thats a different story.  Hugs, kisses, crying, you name it...we do it.   I fall right in the middle of all that.  Hence the reason I am writing a blog on emotions, but may or may not hug you the next time I see you :-)  I also had a boss ask me a while back, "were you close to your Uncle (he had just passed away)?"  I found that to be an odd question.  Because, why wouldn't I be?  I don't talk to extended family on the phone every day.  I don't go to dinner with them twice a week.  I don't even call them on their birthday.  But that doesn't mean we aren't close right?  Closeness to me means, loving them.

Anyways, back to today.  As I drove home, I realized I had smiled a lot today.  And each time it was because of the love I received from or gave to my family.  And this is how it went....

1) Last night I received a text right before bed from my sister-in-law Emily.  She loved my blog and she was so excited for me she almost cried (she married into the family so she does cry ;-)).  Next, my cousin and bestie Tammy texted.   She thought my blog was cute and she was my first follower.  Yep, I woke up smiling today.  

2) My Uncle Lyle has called me three or four times in the last few days.   I didn't even know he had my cell phone number.  Lyle is one of "those" family members that isn't into hugging.  In fact, when I see him, he shakes my hand.  Well, he called again this morning.  His calls, very simply, make my day.  

3) Uncle Steve walked into our office this morning as well (I work for our family business).  And you guessed it, he's in the "no hugging" category too.  He doesn't even say hi.   But, he does feed my 2 year old yellow lab chocolate, and twizzlers, and beef jerky, and more chocolate.  So, it makes me smile and it sure makes my dog happy too.

3) My mom called to ask if I, along with my nephew and sister-in-law, wanted to meet for lunch at our favorite local spot.  I didn't even bring my wallet.  She always treats us.  Need I say more?

4) Cue time to leave for lunch.  My gas tank could not be more empty.  Dad, to the rescue.  Its winter, its cold, its icy.  He WALKED to the gas tank, while I drove.   I sat in the warm car while he pumped the gas.  And, he did all of that without the blink of an eye.  You know that LMFAO song, "I'm Sexy and I Know It??"  My version would be "Im Spoiled and I Know It"   :-)

5)My husband is out of town for work.  He texted me this afternoon and asked how much I missed him.  That's all.  :-)

6)I have mixed feelings about Facebook.  I hate it for a lot of reasons.  I don't care what you had for dinner.  Sorry, I just don't.  But, I do love it for the opportunity to stay in contact with family and friends I may otherwise be distanced from.  My cousin Scott popped up on Facebook chat about 5 minutes before I was to walk out of the office for the day.  I was thrilled.  He lives about 10 minutes from me and I see him maybe once a year.  He has twin sons about to head off for college to play football and baseball.  Thats a big deal in my book.  And, in the few short moments we chatted, I was able to congratulate him and his sons on their accomplishments.  I can tell how very proud he is.  Again, I just smiled.

That, my friends, is a good day.