For Elyse

I Love.....

The way

Your little hands wrap around my neck and squeeze your big baby cheeks against mine

The way

You say Ma-Ma, with your head cocked to the side and your eyes smiling at me

The way 

You run through the house, galloping like you’ve just been let out of the gate

The way 

You say come on I show you, pumping your hand and begging me to follow you like you have the biggest treasure to show me just around the corner

The way 

You dance any time there is a beat

The way 

You laugh at yourself and say, I funny

The way 

You laugh at anyone or anything just because you think the timing is right 

Really just the way

You laugh

The way 

You are always encouraging others and pat kids you don’t even know on the back and say good job buddy

The way 

You beam with pride whenever you can keep up with your brother

The way 

You say, “whatch dis!” and then run from one end of the room to the other then turn to us for applause as if you’ve completed your first marathon and then do it ten more times 

The way 

You sing Happy Birthday every day just as enthusiastically as if it were actually really some body’s birthday

The way 

You know your family and friends and ask about them all the time

The way 

You say Dew-wen, for Dillon

The way

You love to love

The way 

You scrunch up your nose and smile at me like we’ve got a secret to keep from everyone and that it’s that we love each other more than they will ever know

The way

You are so nurturing and concerned about others

The way

Your face looks and how you come running into my arms every time I walk in the door even if I just left to get the mail

The way 

You make everything you do yours

I Love Your Way