When I was a young child and on into my teens (though we stopped calling them such) I had ‘special times’ with my parents. Or dates if you will. This allowed my parents to have one-on-one time with us kids as well as give us an oportunity to have some fun without the distractions or potential arguments with other siblings. I remember we would go to get frozen yogurt or maybe go miniature golfing. Fun was had and I think that it kept me from selling drugs in high school. Oh, shoot, I did sell drugs in high school [I worked at a pharmacy].

Tonight Abby and I had a special time, we went to the library and picked out some books and videos and then afterwards (don’t tell Jessica) we went to Starbuck’s where she had some chocolate milk and I consumed a small portion of a tall latte. Abby flirted with several people in the store and I watched the reflection of a woman cry a lot to a man in the window. We didn’t have any deep conversation, but I hope that it tells this little two year old girl of mine that I love her very much and think she’s very special.

At the library she cracked me up by saying, “No, it’s my precious heart, Dad.” And what a precious heart it is.