I’ve known my husband close to seventeen years. This means I’ve known him more than half my life. In a sense, we’ve done a lot of growing up together.

Though we were in high school at the same time, we didn’t attend the same high school. In fact, we lived on opposites sides of town, about 20 miles away from each other. When you’re a teenager in high school, those 20 miles can seem like a world apart. But, we made it work.

Back then, we communicated via phone calls and even letters. We did not email each other and we did not have text messaging or Facebook. In fact, at one time, I had a pager (remember those?) and he would page me with specific codes that translated into words (i.e., 143 = I love you). But, at the heart of it, we initially exchanged information through letters and even cards. I know I sent him a few cards over the years with hand-written notes and letters. Many years later after we got married, I found out he actually saved some of those cards and letters.

Telling people that I love them, that I care about them, or that they’re on my mind is not something I’ve ever had an issue doing. Every time I say good-bye to my mother, I tell her I love her. Each time my husband and I hang up from a phone call, we say “I love you” in our good-bye. But, something I no longer do very often is write letters or hand-written notes. I can’t remember the last time I wrote my husband a nice note to tell him how much I appreciate all he does for our family.

I recently took the opportunity to use one of the cards Hallmark sent me and write my husband a message. I wanted to remind him that his hard work, dedication, and commitment to us doesn’t go unappreciated. I know I tell him in-person, but somehow writing it down makes the message come out in a more eloquent manner.

Even though my husband is not a huge card-person, I know he does appreciate receiving them. It was nice to see him read my card, smiling along as he read my words. My husband is not typically a man of many words, so a thank you and hug was enough for me to know my words meant something and were appreciated. I can’t help but wonder if he’ll save this card too for years to come just as he saved the cards I gave him at the beginning of of our relationship. I guess I’ll have to wait seventeen more years to find out!

Do you often tell your friends and loved ones how much they mean to you? Do you send them cards or letters to do so or does a text message or email work for you?

Disclosure: This story is sponsored by Hallmark through their Life is a Special Occasion campaign. As always, all stories and opinions are my own. To receive special offers and discounts from Hallmark, sign up for their e-newsletter!

“I don’t know how single parents do this!”

I remember the first time I said those words to my husband. It was a few months after our baby girl was born. Life with a baby, I found out, was hard – harder than I ever could have imagined. How in the world do single parents get through the daily logistics of taking care of a baby without the support of another? How do single moms take simple bathroom breaks with no one else around to watch baby? “I admire single moms…and dads,” I tell him every time I have a challenging day with the kids.

Luckily, my husband has been there for our kids (and me) since the very beginning for both our kids. He’s a very nurturing and hands-on father, something that seems to surprise many people. It’s also something I’m extremely grateful for since I know not all fathers are like him. He knows it, as I thank him quite often. His response: “Why are you thanking me? They’re MY kids!”

As supportive as my husband is about many things, and even though we’re both there for our kids, it’s still hard to raise children. It’s amazing how much energy kids take out of you. Even in a household with two parents, like ours, help from others is appreciated. That help comes in many forms.

There’s the childcare center baby girl attended for two years – at first full-time when both my husband and I worked outside the home, then part-time after I began to work from home. There’s also friends and family who have helped us at various times over the years in one way or another. But, the most important member of our village has to be my mom. My kids’ abuela has also been there for us since the beginning, helping me out during my c-section recovery the weeks after giving birth (both times), and continually over the years.

My mom, without a doubt, has been of great help and continues to be. She loves our kids as if they’re her own and is pretty much willing to do anything for them. In turn, my kids have a wonderful relationship with their abuela and I can see that they truly consider her a part of their support system. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that my mom took care of our daughter for three and a half years, five days a week, before she started attending the childcare center. Abuela has definitely helped us and has played an important role in our children’s lives.

It’s people like these that need to know they are appreciated. Sometimes a simple card saying so can go a long way. I took some time to browse the personalized cards available on Hallmark.com to find the perfect thank you card for my mom. I started the process, but as with many things in our busy lives, am still working on finishing up her personalized card. I can’t wait for her to get it! She needs to be reminded just how much we appreciate having her as part of our village.

Who’s in your village and plays an important role in your children’s lives? Have you thanked them recently?

Disclosure: This story is sponsored by Hallmark through their Life is a Special Occasion campaign. As always, all stories and opinions are my own. To receive special offers and discounts from Hallmark, sign up for their e-newsletter!

Top photo: pasukaru76/Flickr

My mami kept my baby memory book until I found it and took it for myself. I now have it at my house and every so often look through it, reading my mom’s memories, and the cards she saved from when I was born. I asked her why she kept all those cards so many years after I was born and she said she wanted to remember what people wrote and who celebrated the occasion with her.

I also kept cards from when both my children were born, their baby showers, my daughter’s baptism, our wedding, and various other occasions. Over the years, I’ve downsized a bit and have let go of some of those cards, though I’ve kept some. There’s something great about reading special cards long after you received them and remembering the occasion (or non-occasion).

My daughter is going down the same path and loves to keep all the cards she receives, especially those from her abuela, my mom. I imagine one day she’ll do the same as I do and sit down to read her cards reminiscing on what was written in each. In fact, this makes me think that I should give her cards more often; what a great treasure she’ll have when she’s an adult and leading her own life!

Of course, I now save cards from my girl, as well. Cards she made are especially kept because I can remember her face and words from each time she gave me a card. I remember the first card she ever made me – that’s the one pictured here. She couldn’t yet write, but was beginning to draw and could scribble. My baby girl must have been about two years old and was so proud of her get-well card! It’s not a fancy card – my husband added words to her design – but she made it and wanted to help me feel better. So, her card sits on my desk to remind me of that special moment.

Do you have any special cards you’ve saved? I’d love to hear about them!

Disclosure: This story is sponsored by Hallmark through their Life is a Special Occasion campaign. As always, all stories and opinions are my own. To receive special offers and discounts from Hallmark, sign up for their e-newsletter!