Building Memories

Since quality time is so important to me when it comes to growing a relationship, my favorite way to build memories is through spending one-on-one time with the ones I love. I still remember coming up with elaborate plans for fun sleepovers with my oldest nephew and niece when they were preschoolers. Of course, I planned crafts and girly activities for a sleepover with my niece and for my nephew, games and boyish activities. In my mind, it was important to spend time with them one-on-one so they'd remember times with me separate from family gatherings.

Maybe one reason I felt that way is how well I remember visits with my aunt, uncle and cousins when Tracey and I visited them in Mississippi growing up. I remember jumping with Tracey and the boys on the trampoline. I remember laying down to sleep on the floor in the boys' room. I remember running around their house, playing. Since I was very young, I don't have tons of vivid recollections, but I remember some things and particularly remember how I felt when I was there. I knew I was loved.

Even as a hum.er.uhm year old, I have a special bond with my aunt, uncle and cousins that is unmatched. I love all of my family, but there is just something different about our relationship. Even though we have lived a great distance apart most of my life, I'm continually drawn back to them through a depth of love that only comes from time spent together building memories in childhood.

That is one reason I've been so drawn to making good use of my time with those I care about over the years. I've seen the affect it can have on a person's heart.

When my mother-in-law visited us in early December, she wanted to go shopping. Matt had to work the first day she was in town and didn't miss our shopping day one bit :) For me, shopping is an activity with a mission. Get in, get what you're looking for and get out. For some, shopping is a social activity. This I did not consider at the time, but only now in retrospect.

I did the take charge "let's get this list checked off" routine, so that's how we shopped. It wasn't until we stopped for lunch that I settled into focused quality time mode and I'm so glad I did. 

Not only will I remember the fabulous fare of Steak Escape, but I'll always remember sharing a part of my heart with my mother-in-law, only to receive kind, loving, encouraging words from her about the loss of our baby.