I melted.

I’ve always felt loved by my family. Their greatness stands the test of time and trial, for sure. But this past week, they’ve also proven to be the cutest, most creative family EVER!

First, my mom sent me a bunch of Valentine’s Day goodies, along with this amazing hand-crafted snowman runner made from old quilts from my grandmothers. I love the vintage fabrics and the history behind it…. even if I’m not sure if previous generations of Garens or Shirdens made the quilts or if my Grandma Garen picked them up at a farm auction (she was a bargain queen suitable for “Hoarders” I’m sure), but either way, it holds a very special meaning – and my momma made it, too! So, I melted a little when I got to display it in my home.

But it doesn’t stop there! Last night I came home to second package from Indiana! In it I found a lot of homemade “Goodies by Nikki” fabulousness from my sis-in-law.

But wait - one last thing! This made me totally, completely melt. I love you too, A.J. and Zoe!!! I hope they know that in their aunt's eyes, they will always, truly be my little angels! This magnet will now ALWAYS be on my fridge!!!

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m not typically one to really appreciate the romantic sentiment of the holiday, but it is a nice excuse to take a moment out of our busy lives to show each other how much we care, and to remember how much, even us single girls, are loved by our family, our friends, and of course God!!

I hope everyone reading this feels as loved as I do today!

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:12-13

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

We love him, because he first loved us. - John 4:19