love

I had some time away this weekend. My  mom and I took an overnight trip with Caia and Sam stayed home with the boys. When I pulled up to the house today, Sam was pulling up at the same time. The boys clambered out of the car and ran over to me full of excitement. But they didn't want to give me hugs or kisses or tell me how much they missed me. They wanted to give me rocks that they had brought home from their time at a friends house.
Sometimes I get kisses. Occasionally there are hugs and every once in a while there is an unsolicited "I love you mommy." But mostly I get rocks, or worms, or prickly seed pods, or cicada shells. My boys haven't figured out yet that I don't really want to hold worms and slugs. I usually just ask them to set them down next to me or put them into a bucket. And I always do my best to be very enthusiastic about their discoveries. Because as much as I would love hugs and kisses and love yous, I've learned that this is part of their love language. These are the things that fascinate them; that bring them wonder and excitement. And I am the one they want to share that with. Right now, that is a bigger "I love you" than any kiss or hug.